Listening to the album, initially as background music the first few times, I was taken by the differing tempos and the depth of production across all the tracks. Some were sparse, enabling Nadine’s voice to take the lead, while others had that middle eastern feel which blended perfectly with the instruments as they accompanied her.
The range of Nadine’s vocals also leant a different slant across each of the eleven songs. From the upbeat harmonies of the opening track Even Light, to the spoken words of Sad Lads Anonymous. The opening beats of Greatest Dancer immediately hit you with a pulsating drum beat offering Nadine a chance to shine with a more commercial sound.
It’s only when you find out more about the back story to the songs, that you lean back into the songs, listen more intently to the lyrics and fully appreciate the personal journey that brought the album to fruition.
In the past few years she has coped with the death of her mother, substance abuse, a suicide attempt, personal recovery and the end of her marriage. Any one of which is traumatic. Tackling all head on for the 50 minutes here, it’s little surprise that this is such an intimate statement
She touches on the various topics above with the personal reflection of someone who has came through the worst life can offer. Topless Mother, a slap in the face to her therapist, See My Girl, a reflection of her dearly departed mother. Twenty Things tells us about the people she met as she fought her substance demons with the most tragic of all French Exit recounting her dive into suicidal thoughts.
Knowing more about the background to the album, makes you laud the tracks even more. While the subject matter at times falls into the dismal category, there is no doubting the style and emotion that Nadine brings to each song. She tells it as it is. We should listen with intent and be glad that Nadine is currently touring the country.
Having supported Depeche Mode at the Hydro earlier this year and, with SWG3 ticket in the digital wallet, I’m looking forward to another intense showcase of a beautiful album.
All comments welcome so that we can improve what we are publishing!