FAULT FUTURE: MTV Unsigned 2014 Winner Marie Naffah, Live at The Barfly
Last night, in the small and dimly lit (and quite literally leaking) upper room of Camden’s The Barfly, Marie Naffah– winner of MTV Unsigned Artist 2014– played an intimate showcase, debuting new material and a unique sound that goes from strength to strength. Marie’s voice possesses a raw soul and her songwriting is endlessly honest, from the betrayal of Silver & Gold (the track that won over the MTV Brand New judges) to the comic emotion of the newly-debuted David Gray. It is her personal take on life and love- the high and lows, the disappointments and false hopes, the crushes and the comedy- that have the audience hanging on every note. Given the Camden setting (and the big hair,) a comparison to Amy Winehouse feels like a lazy one, but there is truly something of the young, early-days Winehouse in Marie’s honest lyrics and raw, off-the-cuff delivery.
Marie’s lyrics are confessions strung together; nuanced observations that unfold amidst entrancing vocal runs. As clichéd as it sounds, her voice really does take the audience on a journey with each track, from whispered excuses (‘He said “honestly…nothing”’) and effortless trills (‘Even rooooocks get thrown’), to epic moments of unleashed vocal, where you feel yourself hit by the sheer power of her voice. Some tear up, some dance, some seem to end up strangely hugging themselves- in short, all are entranced. The critics have been drawing comparisons with the power-house voice of Florence Welch and, in the wake of last night’s roaring vocals, similar comments rippled through the crowd.
Special guest Archie Faulks, alias Tenterhook, is another remarkable talent, currently making waves on radio with his own track Stereo. He joined Marie on stage for Primrose Hill, having produced and contributed vocals to the track last Summer. This was followed by the debut of Hold You, a heartbreaking track of harmonies and vocal runs that, in its rawest form, already sounds like a No.1. With public support from the likes of MTV, ELLE and Levi’s, along with a consistent and invested fanbase, Marie is on her way to big things beyond being a mere ‘one to watch.’
The audience always feels fortunate to have seen Marie Naffah play live. Part of this is due to her immense talent, and part of this is due to the fact that she’s so clearly headed for big things that to watch her now, on a small stage in a crowded room on a Wednesday night in Camden, feels like a sort of strange luxury. Catch her while you can…