Single Review: Last Night

Marsha’s history dates from 2018 or so, and Last Night is the latest release for these “four dudes from Christchurch”.

It’s an accomplished track – a considered melody and thoughtful vocal arrangements are an early and immediate take-away. The fast tempo with staccato 8th note picking gives it a clear stylistic imprint to a very ‘British’ set of musical references -although their own description of their style as ‘Post-Punk’ puts more limits on this song than it deserves, really. It’s a song full of good ideas, structured for maximum impact.

This song is locked up tight in terms of its arrangement-the demo version also on Spotify shows it in unpolished but still solid form. Although Last Night has a longer duration than many new releases, there are sufficient musical ideas to keep things interesting throughout, and this band has a sound understanding of how to structure and shape key musical elements like rhythm, melody, and timbre.

There is much to listen to. Under a strong melody written in the high end of the male vocal range- and a clever vocal arrangement-are instrumental layers of bass, drums, and guitar constructed with thought and care- each part rewarding the returning listener.

As always with a piece showing as much promise and polish as this, Marsha make themselves a band worth following. Their next steps should prove interesting indeed.