HomeMusicMarcus Foster - The Last House EP review

Marcus Foster – The Last House EP review

In an age dominated by countless singer/songwriters, EF may have finally found a breakthrough act with staying power.

The Last House is the second EP showcasing the pleasingly diverse talents of UK singer/songwriter Marcus Foster. Since the release of his critically acclaimed debut album Nameless Path at the tail end of 2011, Foster has submerged himself in songwriting and has busied himself with a rigorous touring schedule, supporting big names Ben Howard and Michael Kiwanuka. It will come as no shock, therefore, to find, that he is on a wholly similar wavelength musically and the temptation is to label him as just another man with more emotion than he knows what to do with. However, Foster’s exquisite ability to surprise, experiment and enthral is in fact second to none.

Teetering between styles, Foster bravely blurs the lines of genre with abandon. In This Town and Solid Ground sees the ever-popular pairing of emotive lyrics with simplistic strings and solo acoustic guitar used to great effect, whilst on Strange Woods the artist enlists the backing of a big jazz band which he confidently howls and scats over in a Black Keys manner that shows off his glowing guttural tones.

I Won’t Let Love Get In The Way has a distinctly country feel that wouldn’t feel at all out of place on a road movie soundtrack, but lacka a little believable depth a la Alexi Murdoch. Resist the urge to line dance lightly and instead sit back and enjoy the soothing mix of heartfelt expression and folk-blues fusion, that will doubtless entice you into the singer’s soulful world.

Truly groundbreaking The Last House EP is not, but Foster has definitely laid the vital foundations for a durable career.

author avatar
Lucy Christian
Lucy writes music news and reviews for Entertainment Focus.

Must Read

Advertisement