A posthumous Marianne Faithfull EP is set to be released.
‘Burning Moonlight’ was due to be unveiled as part of the releases for Record Store Day 2025 in February but following the ’60s legend’s passing at the age of 78 on January 30, the announcement was postponed.
Faithfull’s son, Nicholas Dunbar, revealed the four songs were created the year before his mother’s death.
He said: “As we grieve the loss of Marianne, we are pleased to announce the release of these songs which she worked on during the year before her death.
“Marianne lived to create and perform music – it was her driving force, and she never stopped. Right up until the end she was looking forward to this release which now completes and celebrates her remarkable artistic career.”
The EP is split into two sides with the first leaning into her pop sound, and the latter half a homage to Faithfull’s folk roots.
The title track, which is out now on streaming services, is deeply moving with lyrics tackling deep loneliness, including “Burning moonlight to survive, walking in fire is my life” and “wherever I go I’m alone”.
The other original track is ‘Love Is’, which was written by her grandson, Oscar Dunbar, followed by renditions of folk classics ‘Three Kinsmen Bold’ and ‘She Moved Thru the Fair’.
Head, who Faithfull started working with in 2004, produced the LP and admitted it was “difficult” for the star to work on the tracks given her health issues, having battled emphysema and long-term effects of COVID-19.
He said: “I’m so happy we found a time when Marianne felt able to write and sing again.
“When she asked me to produce these songs, we were all aware that her health had made things difficult but, in true Marianne fashion, she persevered, and I think we were able to go in a new direction again – something she always tried to push herself to do throughout her long career.”
Executive producer Andrew Batt commented: “It was so unusual to start your career this way, so we decided to bring the music full circle. One side of the EP would be inspired by her debut pop LP, Marianne Faithfull, while the flip would honour her folk roots on Come My Way.”
Faithfull started her musical journey in 1964, recording ‘As Tears Go By’, a song penned by Rolling Stones stars Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and their manager Andrew Loog Oldham.
The track reached the UK Top 10, marking the start of her association with the Stones.
Faithfull’s personal life became entwined with the band, and after her marriage to artist John Dunbar ended, she entered a relationship with Jagger, becoming a fixture in London’s ‘Swinging Sixties’ scene.
A limited-edition vinyl of ‘Burning Moonlight’ will drop on Record Store Day (12.04.25) before the EP heads to streaming platforms on June 6.
‘Burning Moonlight’ tracklisting:
1. ‘Burning Moonlight’
2. ‘Love Is (Head version)’
3. ‘Three Kinsmen Bold’
4. ‘She Moved Thru’ The Fair’