Words By: Bre Offenberger

Marie Naffah has released her debut EP, Golden State, a soothing 13 minutes that feels like dipping your toes into the inviting salty sea after a tiresome day. Despite its short length, the EP and each of its four tracks are bound to resonate with listeners in an inexplicably beautiful way.

“California” sounds like a track straight out of Lauren Sanderson’s catalogue, its chill vibe chock full of pacifying, gentle guitar licks and hypnotic keys. As she feels herself growing up too quickly and having to move on to the real world, Naffah is beginning to miss the little things, not wanting to take for granted anything else that comes her way for the rest of her life. She starts taking notice of everything around her, including every bit of the state of California as she drives through it.

The closer, “Cold Water,” envelops stretchy Currents-era Tame Impala synths adding a dash of flavor to an already spice-filled bowl of pulsating bass, energy-instilling keys and Naffah’s gorgeously delicate vocals. It’s easy to be so entranced by the lush soundscape that you forget there’s lyrics, too, but be mindful: those are just as worthwhile as the sounds enhancing them. Naffah wants to get to know everything about her prospective partner, so she wants to jump right in and be vulnerable with them. Before the track ends, thanks to her sublime vocals, you’ll be so entranced that you’ll want to be vulnerable with her, too.

Of the EP, Naffah shares: “It feels awesome to be releasing this EP because the individual songs really feel like they were born, and belong, together. The songs are multi-layered memories of my trip to the West Coast of America: the going, the coming home, the exhaustion and the exhilarating revitalisation that comes with an adventure. There’s a song for every mood.” 

Even though this is just the beginning for Naffah, her EP already feels like that of a veteran in the industry. She channels the energy of indie favorites Florence Welch and Maggie Rogers while attaining the help of some of indie’s best producers: Neil Comber — who has worked with Glass Animals — Matt Colton — who has worked with Arctic Monkeys —  and Charlotte OC producer Simon Byrt. Someday soon, if you turn on the radio and out comes Naffah’s shimmering vocals, you shouldn’t be surprised. You should consider yourself lucky that you knew all along of her vast talent that would one day reach millions.