The video premiered with Clash who said, “Marie Naffah's punchy vocals speak for themselves. She makes each song feel like a statement, working with a resolute sense of purpose… A soulful song of empowerment that smashes home its message, it builds to that incredible chorus. Lyrically, Marie Naffah is discussing the ability to take control of her life, and this comes out in the playful new video.”
‘Wasteland’ is an upbeat anthem from the impressive soul singer, which celebrates not conforming to stereotypes. The video for the single plays like a stunning Wes Anderson film as Marie performs at a grand solo banquet engulfed in decadent obscurities as she celebrates the weird and wonderful.
Regarding the video Marie says,“Playing dress up, a banquet for one, red wine… I love working with Holly Morrison because she makes weirdness look so beautiful. It’s a privilege to be able to collaborate with someone who can capture your true personality on camera and The Bull Pub in Ticehurst was the perfect location to bring this all to life. The song is about finding your own version of Wonderland whilst in The Wasteland and I think we did just that making this video. Oh and I love a good wig.”
About the single she continues, “I wanted the song to move in and out of two lands - The Wasteland and Wonderland. Wasteland - the home of self-doubt, apathy and vulnerability is articulated through the verses whilst Wonderland is a space of confidence, power and energy that pulsates through the chorus. After the year we’ve all had, I feel it is a song for people who seek to find their own version of Wonderland in 2021.”
‘Wasteland’ follows the release of the well-received singles ‘The Cage’ and ‘California’ last year. All the songs feature on the forthcoming EP, which has been recorded with Neil Comber (Florence + The Machine, Glass Animals, Charli XCX), Matt Colton (Arctic Monkeys, Christine and the Queens) and Simon Byrt (Pixx, Charlotte OC, Babeheaven).
It is a record steeped in influences from across the world, be it her half-Lebanese heritage, songwriting road trips across the US or life within the UK. They form the foundations of the stories Marie’s stunning vocals bring to life in a way reminiscent of the likes of Lianne La Havas, Florence Welch, Lily Moore and Maggie Rogers, while permeated in a rich infectious tone distinctly her own.
ACCLAIM FOR MARIE NAFFAH
“Wonderful”
The Independent
“Few singers have as much soul as Marie Naffah”
EARMILK
“A master of imagery and insightful wordplay”
London In Stereo
“Marie’s voice possesses a raw soul and her songwriting is endlessly honest”
FAULT Magazine
“No one has a voice quite like Marie Naffah’s. Smoky and soulful, like soot blackening the throat, it’s a tone so special that no matter what the London artist sings, it is bound to be beautiful”
The Music Mermaid
“At this point, it almost feels like clockwork with Marie Naffah, each song being put out is a triumph”
Atwood Magazine
