| KATE NASH - My Best Friend Is You |
| Written by Shahlin Graves | ||
| Friday, 16 April 2010 10:38 | ||
Nash's thoughts continue to rattle around her head in 'Don't You Want To Share The Guilt?'. A ukulele and xylophone embellished breather from the opening tracks, Nash confides morning-after type reflections. The song climaxes into a spoken monologue - interestingly enough - similar to that of Nash's steady boyfriend Ryan Jarman's band The Cribs' song 'Be Safe' (which features guest spoken vocals from Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth). Kate adventures into Karen O-land on 'I Just Love You More'; experimenting with banshee-wails and shredding distortion, à la Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Endearingly psychotic, the track fits into place on the album as another episode of Nash's film soundtrack-ish creation. Lead single 'Do-Wah-Doo' is the new 'We Get On'... "I'll just read a book instead, I don't care if we're just friends, I can hang out with myself, I'm old enough now to pretend..." Need I quote more? Nash's former and current best friends may be the subjects of her sophomore effort's songs, but it's Kate, that really proves herself as a lifelong best friend to sing along to. 'Take Me To A Higher Plane' jigs Nash into folk-punk-ish waters. Think; The Pipettes meets Sleater-Kinney - oh bliss! Sing-songy track seven 'I've Got A Secret' plays like a revved up 'Mariella' - attacking homophobia - complete with an almost shoegaze-esque breakdown. Kate Nash v2.0's crown jewel, is quite possibly the candid 'Mansion Song'. Nash incorporates spoken word into the album's interlude, over a faint background of cinematic opera, even including a 'Gone With The Wind' reference. Always ready with the last word, Kate ends her feminist diatribe with the declaration that - "another undignified product of society, that girl should have been a mansion" - groupies beware! The track then veers into almost Animal Collective-esque beats, as Nash hollers - "I am electric, I won't take none of your shit!" - and don't you ever forget it. 'Mansion Song' winds down with a befitting voicemail-ish conclusion that Nash "will, be a lady". 'Early Christmas Present' is really, exactly that. Nash toys with Passion Pit-esque synths, alongside high-strung and compelling storytelling. Hell has no fury like a Kate Nash scorned, as she bawls - "how could you lie to me, right to my face?" - and the age-old - "how could I be so stupid and so blind?". Le sigh. Nash's pop hook sensibilities resurface in 'Later On'. Marrying grandiose instrumentation against Nash's hallmark earnestness - "yeah baby, don't get so disappointed, I am not what you anticipated..." - Kate takes yet another one, for the team. Her itchy feet then traverse us into 'Pickpocket', the album's most 'Made Of Bricks' reminiscent song. Circus-y piano playing that Regina Spektor would be proud of, back up Nash's sing-along poetry. 'You Were So Far Away' glimmers with windswept mystique, as Nash wonders - "who will change my life?" - and - "who will break my heart?". Kate is perhaps, at her most vulnerable in 'You Were So Far Away' - sentiments that continue on into final track 'I Hate Seagulls'. An adorable love ode to one Mister Ryan Jarman - "I like knowing what is going on inside your head" - and - "I like when your hand is in mine". Furthermore, hidden track 'You Are My Best Friend' is a bonus, featuring Jarman playing the violin. 'My Best Friend Is You' has been a long time coming, but well, well worth the wait. During my first listen of 'My Best Friend Is You', I scribbled four full pages of notes. Likewise, anyone that has a heart is sure to be similarly affected by Nash's universal quotables... Yes Kate! My best friend, IS you... and also, me... and every other girl that gives a damn. MUST-LISTEN: 'Kiss That Grrrl', 'Paris', 'Pickpocket', 'Take Me To A Higher Plane', 'Do-Wah-Doo'. HEARTOMETER: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 [ out of 10 ] YOU WILL LIKE, IF YOU LIKE: The Pipettes, Karen O, Regina Spektor, The Supremes, Lily Allen... and taking comfort in knowing that you're not the only one with an unrequited crush. WATCH: The 'Do-Wah-Doo' music video... KATE NASH's new album 'MY BEST FRIEND IS YOU' is released in New Zealand on April 26th, featuring the single 'Do-Wah-Doo'. You can stream the album exclusively via Myspace HERE.
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