London-based singer-songwriter Luke Marzec is nothing short of soul’s greatest rising star. Reminiscent of the days of Armstrong and Ellington, the bassy vocalist brings together elements of jazz, R&B, funk, and pop to create a modern soul sound worth savoring.
After debuting with the EP Chances in 2018, Marzec pushes forth his first full-length with Something Good Out of Nothing — a nine-song LP via Swift Half Records. Cut into halves, Side A was digitally released earlier in the year with memory and nostalgia as the main motifs. Now paired to Side B, with subject matter around persistence and possibility, Marzec’s album shows the full spectrum of human healing: taking what happened, processing it in your own way, and working out what’s needed to move forward.
And lest we forget the layers of sensual instrumentals…
Funky and bluesy, with a tinge of psychedelia, the album starts out with “I Can’t Get You Out My Mind”. A bass saxophone (and maybe an oboe??) take over for classical piano, letting Luke Marzec‘s deep voice narrate the story of a “silly boy and silly girl” getting “lost in their own world”. Relationships of yesteryear are always great to reflect on, like learning the more a partner stresses, the more you get suffocated… at least that’s what Marzec purports in track two, “Easy On You (Easy On Me)”. Backed by a walking bass and classic keys, the easygoing song gives way to a more downtempo ode to childhood in “Growing Up With You”.
Side A then ends with “Red Boletes”, an acoustic guitar-led critique on the pains of love. But, not all is lost, as Side B points out. Beginning with the horn-heavy lead single “Broken Promises”, listeners get a taste of the silver lining relationships bring forth: “If you leave // try to forget about the worries you leave behind.” Move forward, grow stronger. Marzec knows that to “rest” is to “progress”, a notion he continues to push forward in track six, “Space To Be Free”. Urging to contemplate what went wrong in order to “be the best we can be”, we can learn to walk away when we need to or ignore “Single Measures”, as spelled out in track eight.
The album then concludes with a soft-spoken sendoff.
Completely different from the rest of the rundown, “this end track “Lately” gives the listener a look into the inner mind of Marzec, finally ready to let go of the past to cherish in the present. Complete with alto saxophone and changing time signatures, this end track spells out the next chapter, a look ahead. And, boy, are we ready for whatever comes next!
Out now on all digital outlets, Something Good Out of Nothing is also available on black and limited edition red vinyl. Trust us, with a voice like Marzec’s, you’ll want to give this album a literal spin on a record player to bring out a 1920s jazz era vibe listening experience! For more information or to pick up a copy today, visit the link below.
Luke Marzec – “Broken Promises”
Track listing:
- I Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind
- Easy On You (Easy On Me)
- Growing Up With You
- Red Boletes
- Broken Promises
- Space To Be Free
- Never Mind
- Enough Of Single Measures
- Lately
Stream ‘Something Good Out of Nothing’ album:
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Disclaimer: All views presented in this album review are those of the reviewer and not necessarily those of Top Shelf Music.
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