New York – Channeling the breathy, seductive negative space of The XX and charged with the darker R&B vibes of The Weeknd, Marian Hill is the next best genre-blending act to emerge as of late. This band is brand spanking new, and has largely flown under the radar. With only three tracks released to date, Marian Hill has already wowed the blogosphere with their work. One thing is clear at this point in the game; this group is poised to command the spotlight at every turn.
Marian Hill in its entirety is vocalist Samantha Gongol and producer Jeremy Lloyd. Don’t let numbers fool you, together these two write and record music that is emotive enough to outnumber a full-on jazz ensemble. The duo chalks their sound up to an amalgamation of influences ranging from Ella Fitzgerald to Drake. Indeed, it exists in a proverbial Grand Canyon between the ridges of cookie-cutter genres. Based in the blues, but catchy enough to classify as pop too, this is new wave jazz stacked on pronounced percussion and delivered with a tangible dose of soul.
On January 20th, Marian Hill released their latest track, “One Time.” Last August they gave us “Lovit,” following their debut single, “Whiskey.” All three tracks will appear on Marian Hill’s debut EP, “Play,” scheduled for release on March 4th.
Despite their tiny body of work, this group’s third swing is an irrefutable homerun. Truly a knockout track, “One Time” delivers sparse sonic landscapes built solely on the might of one gifted female vocalist and the helping hand of one male beat maker. Rarely can a breakout act hit the nail on the head so rapidly, but Marian Hill has done just that. This song evokes the ambiance of a smoky jazz joint circa prohibition, but infuses the scene with all the plushness of spinning a sultry R&B record at a modern day speakeasy. At once rogue and seductive, it is guaranteed to be on repeat from first listen.
Unsurprisingly, Gongol embellished as a sultry flapper features prominently in this act’s only music video to date. Like “One Time,” the visual accompaniment to their single “Lovit” is well worth your time and attention. Punctuated with smoke-oozing brass instruments, the leading lady here is ruthless where matters of the heart are concerned. Herein lies the force of this act’s work at large, and what betrays the sentiment that is simmering at the core of “One Time.” Building on a femme fatale framework, Marian Hill delivers a sound that empowers us at the precise intersection of love and lust.
Considering this group only activated their Facebook and Twitter accounts last spring, it is highly impressive they’ve been able to gain the close and loyal following they’ve garnered thus far. Their first show is set for February 25th at Philadelphia’s Boot & Saddle, alongside Aaron & The Spell and Elegant Animals. Get psyched for more dates to come and until then, spin “One Time” more than once.
For more on The XX go HERE. For more on The Weeknd go HERE.
Liz Rowley
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