Derby’s Marseille put down two massive markers at the end of 2022. Firstly, their last single ‘Freedom’. A roaring Oasis-inspired anthem that demanded attention. The second was an intimate gig at London’s The Slaughtered Lamb (full review here). Small in size, huge in stature, Marseille went from pack runners to leaders.
A week today they release their new single ‘Only Just Begun’. It is to be taken from the upcoming EP featuring the aforementioned ‘Freedom’ and will be released via Away Day Records.
Where ‘Freedom’ tapped into the hissing fever of Rolla and Owen Morris’ wall of noise and confusion, ‘Only Just Begun’ steps back into a hazier realm. As weightless as ‘Twistarella’ and freeing as Shambolics’ ‘Dreams, Schemes, & Young Teams’, they’ve conjured images of ‘Sally Cinnamon’ flirting with The La’s and DMA’s.
Vocally, the band has stepped up to another level with harmonies enhancing what was, already a rich sound. Frontman Will Brown’s vocal gives the record the mid-60s beat classic sonic to such great effect, elder record collectors will be double checking their copy of ‘Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965–1968’ to see if it’s there.
As Brown decrees “I don’t want to be that guy”, he emits a level of emotion not seen by him before. His soul, for a fleeting moment, is left exposed and vulnerable. This level of openness and generosity of feeling is so often wrapped up in angst and rage. Brown and co have encased it with lysergic licks of love to echo down eternity.
What Brighton’s Lacuna Bloome ignited five years ago Marseille have enflamed with a poetic beauty unrivalled. Their debut EP is set for release this April and inevitably will change guitar music for the better.
*Image courtesy of Paul Dixon
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