Mariel Buckley finds beauty in uncertainty with Americana-tinged “Vending Machines”

"Vending Machines" is about trying to move forward when nothing feels certain, delivered with Buckley’s trademark mix of raw emotion and sharp storytelling. Opening with a slow, steady drumbeat and magnetising guitar hook, the track is simple but unforgettable. There’s a stripped-back honesty to it, with no frills or flash, just Buckley and her band delivering something that feels lived-in and true.

Lyrically, “Vending Machines” captures that state of feeling ungrounded. Buckley’s voice is velvety, soulful and rich with melancholy, as we hear her move through scenes of self-doubt and the aching search for meaning in small, ordinary places. She sings, “So I wait / outside in parking lots with my dreams / try to chase something pretty / staring at the vending machines.”

Produced by Nashville’s Jarrad K, the track signals a shift for Buckley. It leans into grittier textures and indie rock influences while holding onto the emotional honesty that’s defined her work to date. Buckley shares, “I was itching to try something a little heavier than my previous stuff. I wanted to move away from synths and keys in general, citing references from indie rock, pop music, and alt-country.”

“Vending Machines” is a song for anyone who’s ever felt stuck but kept going anyway.