Etta Marcus from South London expresses grief, admiration, and quiet devotion in “Wolf River,” a minimal yet haunting homage to Jeff Buckley. Released as a solo single, the track relies solely on piano, bass, and Marcus’ poignant vocals – a musical eulogy that resonates long after it ends.
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Stream: “Wolf River” – Etta Marcus
Some songs feel like soft whispers to the living, while others seem crafted for ghosts. “Wolf River,” the newest release from Etta Marcus of South London, is clearly in the latter category. This track is immersed in sorrow and quiet reverence, resembling a eulogy more than a mere performance. While it conveys grief, it also exudes a deep respect: a pledge to cherish someone’s music and memory, even when words fall short of expressing the profoundness of that love. In a time when legacies can fade swiftly with the next trending moment, “Wolf River” serves as a poignant reminder of the value in keeping alive those who have influenced us – not just for our own benefit, but for the new generation discovering them. However, how long can we focus on someone’s legacy before it crosses into obsessive devotion? Where is the boundary between honoring and holding on?
In “Wolf River,” Marcus reflects on the passage of time and loss:
"Happy birthday Scottie
Years flow by like the wind
I'm at Wolf River, waiting
I know it’s over, yet I hold on
With love, from Memphis
Only dust remains
And you’re signing off
Tomorrow will gift us
With a whole lot of love
A whole lot of love."
Etta Marcus, a burgeoning alt-pop artist from Brixton, South London, has always embraced emotional vulnerability. After classical training in jazz and a subsequent expulsion from Trinity Laban Conservatoire, Marcus focused on her unique voice and vision, resulting in her debut album, The Death of Summer and Other Promises, set for release in January 2024. Her music occupies a shadowy realm between indie sadness and grand cinematic sound, often likened to Fiona Apple and Mazzy Star. Released on May 29, 2025, “Wolf River” is Marcus’ most personal creation to date—an homage to the late Jeff Buckley, one of her greatest inspirations, and a subtle affirmation that his impact still runs deep in her craft.
Sonically, “Wolf River” is both minimalistic and striking, anchored by a gentle, nearly skeletal piano and soft bass, allowing Marcus’ ethereal vocals to take center stage. Her voice doesn’t merely carry the tune; it embodies it, resonating like a whispered confession in an empty church. The piano complements her vocals rather than overshadowing them, echoing the song’s intimate themes. There’s a delicate quality, as if we’re eavesdropping on something personal—an exchange that feels private, yet captivates us.
"I miss your blues
I miss your rock and roll tunes
That guitar was made for loving you
My hero gone, the greatest I mourn
My world is nothing without your song
With love, from Memphis
Only dust remains
And you’re signing off
Tomorrow will gift us
With a whole lot of love
A whole lot of love."
The lyrics enhance this intimate connection, mingling mourning with devotion. "My world is nothing without your song," Marcus expresses, her voice laden with both gratitude and loss. Later, she articulates, "I'm at Wolf River, waiting // I know it's over, still I cling," alluding to Buckley’s final moments while revealing her struggle to move on.
The tension permeates every lyric: this is as much a tribute as it is a resistance to letting go, a love letter to someone whose artistry feels too crucial to forget. The song evolves into more than just a memorial – it becomes a living link connecting Marcus' present to Buckley’s lasting influence.
For anyone who has experienced loss, be it someone they knew or an artist whose work impacted them, “Wolf River” offers a sense of solace. It taps into the universal pain of keeping a person alive through actions, words, and melodies. For Marcus, it’s a means of acknowledging not just her sorrow, but the accompanying gratitude, recognizing that even those we have never met can occupy a space in our hearts. For the listeners, it serves as an invitation: to confront grief, to find solace in memories, and to realize that we are not alone in our desire to hold on. This is the song to play during the darkest times when you need someone—even a stranger singing about another stranger—to remind you that grief can both connect and break us.
“I wrote ‘Wolf River’ during a challenging year,” Marcus reflects. “Jeff helped me rediscover why I write,
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Etta Marcus from South London expresses grief, respect, and subtle devotion in "Wolf River," a minimalistic and eerie homage to Jeff Buckley. Released as an independent single, the song reduces everything to piano, bass, and Marcus' poignant vocals – a musical eulogy that resonates long after it concludes.