Album Review: Marc Atkinson - Voices (2026)

Written: February 20th 2026

Over the last three decades, Marc Atkinson (read my recent interview with him here) has been an extremely prolific singer and songwriter. He has been part of several bands including Gabriel, Nine Stones Close, Riversea and Moon Halo. Alongside these projects, he has also contributed to albums by Mandalaband and Lee Abraham. Amidst this, he has released several solo albums and his latest, Voices, is due for release in early March. Voices is a fifteen song collection that encompasses a range of styles. There are also several places on the album that make use of spoken word, something familiar to listeners of Atkinson’s music. It both opens and closes with voice recordings sent to him by drummer Maurizio Fornacca, expressing his admiration for the music and his joy in working with Atkinson.

As is the case with several opening tracks on his solo albums, Where Do I Begin is an introspective track that addresses something personal to Atkinson. In this case, it explores his approach to songwriting and the difficulties that this sometimes poses. Where Do I Begin? / The empty page is almost taunting / It’s calling me a liar and a fool / Where are the words / That I’ve been seeking? A slow burning seven minute track, that in places, thanks to the gorgeous guitar work of Moon Halo guitarist Martin Ledger, is Floydian in nature and scope. It sets a beautiful tone for Voices and, like many moments on the album, shows why Marc Atkinson deserves to be a global name. The section that begins When I look up at the stars tonight is especially moving.

Title track Voices, based around Atkinson’s acoustic guitar, is a celebration of playing live and the pleasure he derives from others singing along with him. Voices… let’s hear your voices / Then everything will be alright / And we’ll have a great night / Voices….let’s hear your voices / Shout it out as loud as you like. A gentle ode, it is inviting and friendly, like the man himself. This more stripped back approach allows listeners to experience what it is like to see him play live as this is the format in which he performs several times a week.

All Out of Love begins with gentle guitar and lush synths signalling a change of mood from the title track. Atkinson has released many personal love songs in the past but he often tackles the wider issue of relationships outside of his own experience. Written in the third person, All Out of Love opens with gentle guitar and lush synths, signalling a shift in mood from the title track. It is a wonderful example of how atmosphere can be created with minimal instrumentation. Across its six minutes, it uses no percussion - only the subtly evolving guitar from Ledger and the keyboards from Atkinson - yet it holds the imagination, drawing us in through the lilting cadence of Atkinson’s voice as he tells his story.

Anything Is Possible - which makes delightful use of backing vocals from Atkinson’s partner Tamsin and daughter Enya - slightly increases the pace but remains an exercise in restraint. There is a more consistent thread of tone running through his solo albums, as you might expect when compared with a project such as Moon Halo which draws on the diverse ideas of its five members. That should not discourage you, as each idea is executed with care. Martin Ledger’s guitar work is again colourful and emotive, particularly during his elegant solo and Maurizio Fornacca is a thoughtful drummer who always plays for the song rather than for show.

Every One Of Us continues in a similar vein but focuses on Atkinson and guitar, this time electric. It finds him seeking resilience for himself while also asking for that same strength for all of us in the face of the difficult realities of society and interpersonal relationships. Let us see the light in dark places. Marc Atkinson makes no secret of the fact that several songs on his solo albums are written for Tamsin. I Won’t Let You Go – which opens with a quote from American spiritual author Neale Donald Walsch - and If I Could are two such examples. They reflect the reality that his music is not always woven from dense or elaborate ideas but instead carries a finely wrought and quietly expressive quality.

Say It Isn’t So – a contender for my favourite song on the album – takes us in a completely different direction both thematically and musically. It addresses Atkinson’s feelings, and the feelings of many, about the presidency of Donald Trump together with the leadership of Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu. It is a sombre reflection on the period in which we live and on the wider concern about the reach of Trump’s authority and his seemingly unassailable ability to act as he chooses. Unsurprisingly, it is the darkest track here in terms of its musicality and Ledger produces his best solo of the entire album, anguished but powerful.

Beginning with the sound of a closing door and a car driving away, Home is well placed on the album, bringing an injection of pace and vigour after several slower tracks. With a foot-tapping groove and throbbing bass, the feeling of travel and Atkinson’s wish to get back to his loved ones after miles on the road travelling to gigs shines through. My destination / Is where my love is found / Turn on the radio / Let’s listen to some sounds. The shortest piece on the album at just over two and a half minutes, it delivers a welcome and sharp uplift in tempo that helps sustain Voices and keeps its momentum intact.

Following Home, the album settles back into a more measured feel for several tracks, each carrying the same intimate atmosphere as Atkinson’s livestream gigs. While the songs might initially seem like straightforward listening, they each hold their own character and lyrical depth. The Maze explores the feeling of being trapped in life and the cruelty of certain decisions, while ultimately suggesting that the best way through life is with the support of others. Help Me Believe - complete with another achingly exquisite solo from Ledger - is a reflection on the unsettling state of the world right now yet still manages to deliver a message of hope.

I Will Follow is a stripped‑back piece with Atkinson laying his soul bare about his life with Tamsin, accompanied only by guitar. So Far Away stands out as a stunning showcase of Atkinson’s voice; with minimal accompaniment - just synths and occasional piano - he delivers one of his strongest performances, a lament for someone whose absence leaves a profound gap, blending emotional ache with a deep desire for their presence and guidance.

In a similar way to Home, The Future Starts Tonight lifts Voices with a welcome burst of verve and bounce, arriving at just the right moment when the album risks slipping into a more one‑paced feel. It begins as if it is destined to be another slow, quiet song but as subtle drums are introduced, there is a sense that the track may build, and over its first two minutes, it does exactly that. The final seventy seconds are lively and infectious. Lyrically, it celebrates the idea that every day offers a new chance to begin again and expresses the belief that our best days are still to come. You are not your yesterdays / You are not your mistakes you’ve made / So try to leave your past behind.

The Here and the Now closes the album in expansive style with its eight‑and‑a‑half‑minute running time. Although it is another quieter piece, it feels like the right way to end the record because it showcases the finest quality of any Marc Atkinson solo album: his voice. It creates the impression of him singing beside us on the sofa with an acoustic guitar in hand, yet it also carries a message intended for everyone. Lyrically, it urges us to stay rooted in the present rather than drift into thoughts of how life might look if we were different or wealthier. A distinctive, understated arrangement with refined guitar brings the song to a thoughtful close, leaving a sense of hope and gently reminding us to make the best of who we are and what we have. All I know is all we have / Is here right now / We’re not old photographs / All I know is all we have / Is the here and the now…

Voices once again highlights Marc Atkinson’s gifts as both a singer and a songwriter, presenting a collection that draws strength from its quieter nature without feeling one‑dimensional. Listeners familiar with his previous solo work will not be surprised by the number of gentler, slower pieces, yet tracks such as Home and The Future Starts Tonight play an essential role in preventing the album from settling too deeply into one mood. What emerges is a thoughtful balance of lyrical themes, moving between reflections on his own life and family, observations on the state of the world and honest meditations on how we face the challenges around us. The musicians involved each bring something valuable, with Martin Ledger’s expressive guitar work standing out in particular. While it can be listened to at any time, it works best late at night where it can reveal its full character and invite listeners to sink into its relaxed and intimate atmosphere. An album that deserves to be heard far more widely than it likely will be, Voices confirms that Atkinson continues to refine his craft with assurance and quiet authority.

Voices will be released digitally on 6th March and is also available to order on CD here.

My review of the album is coming soon.

Marc Atkinson online

Facebook

bandcamp

Instagram