EP Release: MAris “MOSH★PIT”
MARIS is the Queer Pop Star to Watch with Over 3 Million Streams of Her New EP MOSH★PIT
Release Date SEptember 18, 2026
Maggz
As rising pop artist MARIS embarks on her North America headline tour, her newest EP is making waves. Rooted in the same spirit that has brought engaged and devoted fans out in droves to her live performances, the project touches on themes of community, catharsis, connection, and freedom through self-expression. Through it all, one thing is certain: queer pop is here to stay, and MARIS is a driving force behind its continued success. In a time when everything feels so dark and challenging, queer joy shines through artists like MARIS.
MOSH★PIT opens with a song so easy to sing along to, “Nothing to Do (nananananana),” with an upbeat pop tempo. The line “I’m seeing red, take me to bed,” delivers an impressive belt towards the end of the track, kicking off the top of the album strong and showing off the Montana-born artist’s vocal chops.
“Body Is On Fire” delivers dance party synth realness with gritty vocals. The music video for the track is like a throwback 80s workout video with clips of dance club scenes interspersed. MARIS’ larger-than-life personality shines through each of her songs, letting listeners into her world and giving them an opportunity to explore their own personalities and desires.
“MOSH★PIT” serves as a perfect title track for the project, starting soft with almost whispers before building into her signature, powerful chorus. “Why can't we start kissing just a little bit?
I know I'd like it better with your lips on it / You can meet me in the middle, open the mosh pit / You can touch my body til the music quits,” evokes feelings of being in the club on a night out with your friends and falling for a stranger in the smoke and booming bass.
Smack dab in the middle of the album, “that’s my girl” delivers ethereal ballad vibes with an explicit rating. It’s the song of sapphic yearning for the best and worst of times, with lyrics echoing like “Kiss me softly, bite my lips / I won't hear the end of this / I don't give a fuck, kiss me again.” This track is legendary.
Photo Credit: Kylie Rebecca
You may recognize MARIS from her time on Season 16 of American Idol in 2017 or her iconic cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” on Postmodern Jukebox from around the same time. She’s been known for her spectacular vocals for years, but finally here to shine and boldly be herself with her latest EP, produced with Dylan Bauld. Despite this newest release being her fourth EP, it feels like MARIS is coming even more into her own today. “Losing People” feels like a cry out into the abyss; screaming out about the reality of getting older and losing people you love.
“Missing Me” rounds out the EP, picking the tempo back up to take us back to the dance floor. When the bass drops out and exposes MARIS’ raw vocal talent, all you can do is clutch your chest and jump along when the driving beat reappears. She’s the queen of queer pop, and by the end of the EP, you will be hitting the replay button to relive the journey all over again.
Many of her North American tour dates are already sold out, including her New York City stop at the Mercury Lounge, with a second night added. She has previously toured nationally with The Wrecks, Maude Latour, A R I Z O N A, Anna of the North, and Caroline Kingsbury. If you have a chance to see MARIS on tour this fall, you won’t regret taking a night off from your day-to-day to dance, jump, and scream along with her high-energy tracks. And maybe you’ll even find yourself kissing a stranger in the closeness of the crowd - you won’t know unless you buy a ticket.
