MARIE NAFFAH - GOLDEN STATE
There is no doubt that Marie Naffah is destined for great success. But just how successful will depend on whether she is able to cultivate a musical style that is just as powerful as her voice.
There is no doubt that Marie Naffah is an incredible vocalist. Her debut E.P, Golden State, is an elegant endeavour to capture the dreamy passion of her soothing voice. It is sure to be immensely popular.
Marie’s lyrics are feel-good and memorable, ranging from exploration to personal escapism. There is a restless excitement present in California’s ‘I miss the smell of the dark/ The drives to nowhere,’ which poignantly captures a sense of wanderlust. In Wasteland, lyrics like ‘Why you drink my water, if it’s all that’s left to drink, I could turn it into wine, you’d still pour it down the sink’ and ‘am I everything you want,’ are bold and poetic in portraying an inescapable personal wasteland. At every moment her voice turns words into nectar. Across the four tracks, Naffah cultivates a distinct lyrical style, one that is svelte and sultry and seems to be a genuine reflection of herself.
There is something slightly underwhelming about the project however, which is strange because it is nearly flawless. Vocals are impeccable, lyrics are sharp and the composition is well polished. All the boxes have been carefully ticked, wherein seems to lie the fault. This music on this E.P feels too polished. Creating a sublime listening experience comes at the cost of identity. Everything has been done right, but something is still missing. Something raw, that can only be found by redefining, rather than following, the rules. Naffa’s personality, which is so strong elsewhere, feels absent in the music. For a song that is supposed to oscillate between ‘Wasteland and Wonderland’, the track Wasteland is disappointingly monotone. On the other hand, the chorus to Cold Water, which feels very Brandon Flowers-esque, was delightful to hear precisely because it was completely unexpected. In The Cage, the use of the Guzhang strings is an exciting addition that feels playful and experimental, but the fact remains that the downtempo tune is restrictively formulaic.
Perhaps this isn't really an issue. Perhaps this nit-picking is a contrarian effort to destabilise an otherwise exceptional EP. When the music is made to accentuate rather than complement the voice, do these criticisms even really matter- especially when the sound is for the most part pretty good. After all, it is Marie’s voice that people want to hear. And her voice is distinct and powerful. Her music, on the other hand, lacks that punchy vivacity that her vocals deserve.
Regardless, it hasn't stopped the London based singer/songwriter from quickly rising in prominence. The fact that she’s already sold out several London venues pre E.P release really speaks for itself. There is no doubt that Marie Naffah is destined for great success. But just how successful will depend on whether she is able to cultivate a musical style that is just as powerful as her voice.
George Starkie
★★★★☆