Emerging pop singer-songwriter Maryon King is turning one of modern dating’s most frustrating experiences into a playful and unapologetic anthem with her new single “BUILD A MAN.”
Written for every woman who has invested time, patience and emotional labour into helping a man become a better version of himself, the song takes a humorous look at what happens when someone else eventually benefits from all that work.
“BUILD A MAN” is built around the idea of giving a relationship the full girlfriend effect: helping a partner upgrade his wardrobe, raise his standards and develop his emotional intelligence, only to watch another woman receive the finished version. Rather than treating the situation as a serious heartbreak story, Maryon approaches it with a more playful and slightly unhinged energy.
That attitude gives the song its personality. “BUILD A MAN” takes a familiar relationship experience and turns it into something that feels humorous, relatable, and easy to sing along to, while highlighting Maryon’s ability to bring character and storytelling into her pop songwriting.
At just 24, Maryon King is already building an international story of her own. Born in Calarasi, Moldova, raised between Padova, Italy, and London, and now based in Los Angeles, her journey has taken her through several countries and creative environments in pursuit of music.
Her connection with music began at 11 after watching Madonna perform “Hung Up” on MTV. The moment left a lasting impression, but pursuing music was not initially the path her parents wanted for her. They encouraged her to choose a more traditional and secure career, but Maryon continued developing her musical ambitions.
As a teenager, she secretly attended singing lessons without her parents knowing and taught herself to play guitar. When she eventually went to university in London at 18 to study languages, she initially appeared to be following the safer route her parents had encouraged. Within months, however, she secretly changed her degree to music.
That decision marked another step toward the career she had been working toward since childhood. Maryon immersed herself in London’s music scene and spent the following years developing her songwriting and sound.
Over the past five years, she has written across London, Los Angeles and Paris, working with respected writers and producers including The Stereotypes, Pam Sheyne, Aaron Forbes, Martin Luke Brow, Adj Buffon and Gez O’Connell. Through those collaborations, Maryon has continued shaping what she describes as her left-of-center pop sound. Her songwriting combines heartfelt lyricism with memorable melodies, while her soulful vocal delivery gives her music an emotional quality that extends beyond her years.
Maryon began releasing her own music last year with her debut single “Hustler.” She followed it with “Flatline,” which has already surpassed 500,000 streams, and “New Life.” “BUILD A MAN” arrives as another glimpse into the personality behind her songwriting, this time allowing her to lean into humour, attitude and the more chaotic side of relationship experiences.
The single also comes as Maryon prepares to release her debut EP, Back to Strangers. The project explores the aftermath of heartbreak and the process of emerging from difficult experiences with greater confidence and self-awareness.
For Maryon, music is ultimately about creating a connection with people who may be experiencing similar emotions. “I want to make the listener feel less alone in a world that’s so chaotic and uncertain,” she says. “Music saved me and I hope my songs can be a relief in someone else’s life.”
Her work as a songwriter also extends beyond her own releases. Maryon has co-written and provided vocals for songs by Afrojack, Martin Jensen and Tiesto, while her live credentials include performances on Sigala’s sold-out UK and Ireland tours and an opening slot for BEKA on her sold-out UK tour.
Now based in Los Angeles and preparing to introduce Back to Strangers, Maryon King is entering a new stage of her career with a growing catalogue, international experience and a clear sense of the artist she wants to become.
With “BUILD A MAN,” she turns a familiar dating complaint into something much more entertaining: a cheeky anthem for anyone who has ever helped someone become their best self, only to watch somebody else enjoy the results.
