Words by James Davids
Marsha Swanson is back with something emotionally special. Moreover, her new single ‘Like an Angel’ arrives not just as a follow-up to her acclaimed album ‘Near Life Experience’, but as a thoughtful reflection on her past year and it is a beautiful reworking of a song that almost didn’t make it onto the album.
Originally tucked away as an unnamed ghost track, ‘Like an Angel’ has now been given a full studio treatment, recorded live with a full band and a delicate string section and the result is great. There’s a quiet strength to the track too, a sense of grace and space that gives Marsha’s thought-provoking lyrics room to breathe. It feels intimate and she lets us in on something personally meaningful.
‘Like an Angel’ was produced by Henry Thomas (who’s worked with legends like Randy Crawford and Paul Weller), the track also features a seasoned group of musicians, including Martyn Barker on drums and Tony Qunta on guitar. Together, they build a gentle textured sound that supports the song’s emotional core but without overpowering it.
Musically, ‘Like an Angel’ sits somewhere between the ethereal worlds of Kate Bush and Tori Amos, but Marsha’s refreshing voice and perspective are completely her own. Her lyrics are sincere and grounded too and they offer a message of love and acceptance inspired by those who’ve left a lasting mark on our lives. “It’s a song about acceptance,” she says, “written from love, about love.” And that sincerity comes through in every line.
In a time where music often moves fast and fades quickly, ‘Like an Angel’ is the kind of song that lets us slow down and really listen. It’s a moment of calm, reflection, and emotional honesty.
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