Ally Carnwath 

Marques Toliver: Land of CanAan – review

Marques Toliver's honeyed voice and ear for a gratifying hook combine with a tricky musical intelligence, writes Ally Carnwath
  
  


The reputation that precedes Marques Toliver is rather offputting: a hipster polymath and classically trained violinist and soul singer who edits a style magazine, struts through fashion shoots and busks in Brick Lane. The reality, though, is more engaging. His honeyed voice and ear for a gratifying hook combine with a tricksy musical intelligence so that, although the quality's a bit uneven on his debut, the best bits rouse and wrongfoot you in equal measure. Opener CanAan is a mesmerising blend of finger clicks, layered vocals and discordant strings, while single Control delivers effortless catharsis and a cheeky steal from Ain't No Mountain High Enough.

 

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