Having released two EP’s and a host of singles, including the epic
Gabriel (Gospel Edition), singer, songwriter and artist Marie Naffah is set to release her most authentic work to date - her highly anticipated debut full length album ‘Mother Of Pearl’, out now.
Having seen widespread critical acclaim from the likes of The Independent, BBC London, NME, Wonderland, and many more, an integral part of Marie’s artistry has always been to create meaningful connections with her fans, and that comes across in everything she lays her hands, and voice on. Putting fan experiences first, Marie also announces her album launch show at Hoxton Hall on 26 June. Performing the album in full with her band, the performance will be peppered with intimate stories and behind the scenes visuals.
With already released singles ‘Rust & Blue’, ‘Loving You (Tenderly)’ and ‘Gloria’ exploring different facets of love, Marie’s album continues in the same vein and explores a theme that is deep rooted in being inherently human - love in all its forms. Showcasing Marie’s boundless talents as a gifted songwriter and storyteller, ‘Rust & Blue’ is an unconventional love song to her partner of 10 years (now husband), and ‘Gloria’ is a massive love song dedicated to the epic romance that comes with female friendships.
‘Family Man’ is a song about running into someone from your past and seeing how time has changed them, while ‘Bowing Down To You’ is about loving yourself through moments of deep self-doubt. ‘Steinway’ is an ode to the imagination, showcasing the sheer love for the creative process, and the album title track is inspired by the folk of Dylan, and is a love song for her mother, reflecting on growing up and acknowledging how unconditional love is often hard to repay. And these are just a few joyous moments on a record brimming with huge emotions.
The album was recorded at The Boathouse Studio in Suffolk during the entire month of June 2023. Producers Robin Breeze and Adam Bowers understood intuitively Marie's desire to craft something that fused classic lyricism (inspired by the likes of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles and Joni Mitchell) with flashes of the contemporary (Sharon Van Etten, Bleachers and Big Thief). The result walks a fragile tightrope between modernity and nostalgia. Across twelve beautiful tracks, the album showcases Marie's uniquely honey-soaked voice, her natural gift for storytelling and her ability to explore facets of life in a vulnerable yet deeply relatable way.
Of 'Mother of Pearl', Marie says: ‘I think love pours out of this album. Romantic, platonic, parental, self-directed... and not just the joyous aspects of love but also its complexities, from the tender to the tough. The songs are varied, but linked by lyrical storytelling, honest observations, nostalgic melodies. There are glimpses of sadness and angst and moments of euphoria and sheer hope. I hope listeners drink it in. I hope they sway, dance, hug, cry - whatever the feeling, I hope it bursts out of them.”
On the title, Marie says “I turned 30 when I decided to make this album in September 2021. I remember calling my mother to tell her how happy I was. I told her twice. I’d recently got engaged, my fanbase was growing, and I was swimming every day. It had been a mixed year to be honest. There had been grief and angst, but also moments of pure joy. It made me think of a necklace she owned, where naturally imperfect pearls of varying hue sat side by side on a fragile thread and held with a single clasp. Pearls that would change with the light, with whatever she was wearing. Mother of pearl is imperfect, but it’s real. That’s what I wanted to replicate with this album. Different, separate songs strung together and united by a thread that is honesty. I don’t need to tell you that we cannot be permanently happy, and I feel it is the job of the artist to represent the darks as well as the high, high lights.”
Having recently played a sold-out show at Lafayette followed by a sold-out UK tour supporting soul-pop artist Hannah Grace, 2023 also saw the launch of her own residency ‘Little Gigs’ - a monthly showcase at Tooting’s Mezzanine bar (with managers & creatives Gaia Parolini & Nico Sgaravato), seeking to eradicate the boundary between artist, audience and venue.
Proudly authentic, ‘Marie carves her own musical path that is unlike any other,’ as perfectly put by Wonderland Magazine. With her album set for release this summer, fans both old and new are in for an exciting year from this formidable artist.
Mother of Pearl - Tracklist:Rust & Blue
Family Man
Mother of Pearl
Bowing Down (To You)
For You
Jezebel
White
Gloria
Minnesota Ground
Loving You (Tenderly)
Steinway
Pillow Talk
Music News found the time to find out a little more from Marie...
Hello Marie! Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your musical journey?Hello! I’m a singer-songwriter from London. I suppose my musical journey began when I was 14, and I quickly fell in love with the intimate process of creating songs. It helped me pay attention - internally and externally. At 18, I started gigging and discovered the magic of live performances—the thrill of sharing my music and being held in a moment with an audience. After recording in both the US and London, releasing several EPs and embarking on incredible projects like my
50 Gigs in 50 Days tour, I’m thrilled to introduce my debut album,
‘Mother of Pearl’.
How would you describe your music? I’m constantly trying to fuse classic lyricism (inspired by the likes of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles and Joni Mitchell) with flashes of the contemporary (Sharon Van Etten, Bleachers and Big Thief). I like walking the fragile tightrope between modernity and nostalgia. As well as trying to make melodies for the listener to get lost in, I care deeply about words and storytelling.
Can you tell us about your new album ‘Mother of Pearl’?One of the best pieces of advice I received was to take my time releasing my first album. Over the past few years, I've thought deeply about the sound I'm creating, the team I want to work with, and my values as a creative. I recorded this album at The Boathouse Studio in Suffolk during June 2023 with producers Robin Breeze and Adam Bowers. It was the best June of my life and marks a sincere turning point for me, both creatively and professionally.
As for the record, I think love pours out of this album—romantic, platonic, parental, and self-directed. It captures not just the joy of love but also its complexities, from tender moments to tough. The songs are diverse yet tied together by lyrical storytelling, honest observations, and nostalgic melodies. You'll find glimpses of sadness and angst, alongside moments of euphoria and sheer hope. I want listeners to truly feel it—whether they sway, dance, hug, or cry. I want the emotions to burst out of them.
Mother of pearl is imperfect, but it’s real. That’s what I wanted to replicate with this album. Different, separate songs strung together and united by a thread that is honesty.
You have an album launch show coming up at Hoxton Hall on 26 June. Can you tell us a bit about what audiences can expect?With releasing my debut album, the question that kept me up at night was, 'How do you get people to care?' How do you convince someone to spend an hour diving into a world you’ve spent nearly two years crafting? This is a dream show for me because it’s a chance to share the stories behind the twelve songs we play live. I hope this context deepens the listener’s experience, creating a shared moment around the record. I’m so grateful for my wonderful, loyal London fanbase, and I can't wait to share this journey with them.
Every detail of this record was made with love, and I hope that care is contagious. The show will be a live performance of all 12 tracks, sprinkled with intimate stories that celebrate camaraderie, collaboration, and creativity. After the show, we’ll have time to catch up, and I’ll be signing vinyl too. I hope to
see you there. Come say hello!
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