Shannon

The new Nina Nastasia album is blowing my mind right now and the best part is that it's completely unexpected. I've been kind of over Nina for two or three years now - and probably haven't listened to her at all in at least a year - mostly because her last couple of albums didn't impress me much. When I read that her new one, Outlaster, would be very orchestral that got me more excited than I would have been otherwise because some of my favorite songs of hers have always been the ones with lots of strings. Well, it leaked not long ago (speaking of leaks, it seems like everything is leaking right now; I have a ton of albums I need to listen to) so, naturally, because I have no willpower (and because I was still only vaguely interested), I downloaded it. The first time through nothing much stood out, probably because I was pre-occupied with something else at the time. But last night, I listened to it again and it just blew me away and now I can't stop listening to it. It's easily the best thing she's done which is pretty impressive six albums in. A lot of artists, once they have that many releases under their belt, seem to settle and stick to what they're good at without ever branching out much, therefore becoming rather bland and tiresome. Based on her last two albums (which, admittedly, I haven't listened to in ages and might feel completely differently about now), I thought that had happened to Nina. Though this album is essentially very typical of her and not too drastically different, it's like everything has been amped up times ten which is what makes it so amazing. I've always found myself wishing she would do more with her music: more twisted melodies, more strings, more emotion in her voice - and she finally has. Speaking of her voice, holy shit, when did she become this huge, passionate belter?!? Seriously. Though her voice is charming and perfectly suited to the folk-y kind of music she makes, I've never thought it was particularly strong or versatile. Turns out she was just holding out on us this whole time. Majorly. Girlfriend's voice on this album is insane. Especially on "This Familiar Way," which is the album's clear standout, not just for her incredible vocals but the strings are also ridiculous and the melody is so deliciously dark and kind of sensual at the same time. And she doesn't only let loose on that one song. It's the entire album - other songs like "What's Out There," "Wakes," and "One Way Out," they're so surprisingly potent and aggressive and full of emotion. I'm honestly awestruck. Now I think I'm going to go have a listening party with her older stuff. It's been too long since I've listened to it.