On her debut release, Anya Marsland makes it abundantly clear that she is capable of building tracks that are simply loaded with soul and emotion. Her voice smoothly caresses you, moving like a tranquil river stream that never breaks flow or feels invasive. It’s consistently magnetic, never once allowing your attention to drift away. Serenity in soulfulness, dexterity in performance, and warmth in arrangement. This majestic confluence of jazz, blues, soul, r&b, and melodic guitar is simply sumptuous. Her vocals are so innately expressive, with each inflexion taking the listener through their own journey that Anya’s vulnerability and emotiveness allows for.
Drawing influence from Joni Mitchell, Amy Winehouse and Etta James to modern contemporary ones like Lianne la Havas, Daniel Caesar and Cleo Sol, Anya’s well on her way to join this latter class as an emerging name in neo-soul. As far as vocal performances go, you’re not going to hear someone as powerfully evocative. Absolutely alluring.