Album Review... Daughter - If You Leave

Daughter; the Indie-Folk three piece band that sprung from Elena Tonra’s work as a solo artist are soon to release their first full length album "If you leave." After three EPs released by the band have been successful it seems the album is highly anticipated by both fans and the music industry. Vogue described the "Wild Youth" EP as 'fluttering heart on the sleeve acoustic.' and it seems that the shivering chill that ran down spines at the first listen of the EP will continue as we uncover the new album.

"Youth", the song Daughter are mostly recognised for is a stand-out track on the album. Hauntingly beautiful and equally thought provoking lyrics such as "Setting fire to our insides for fun" echo the mysterious and enchanting feel that the album creates. The layered guitar and vocal are quite simple but as the song builds and Remi Aguilella puts his sticks to use the song gains a power and the mix of a slight reverb and folky vocal are enough to leave us feeling hollow. This style of instrumentation is similar to that of The XX.

The vocals on the album are consistent nevertheless just as effective on every track, similar to those of Gabrielle Aplin. The complexity of the album is admirable considering the band is made up of only three members. The melancholy feel of the album is set immediately by the track "Winter" which similarly to most tracks on the album starts with simple melodies and the vocal line of Elena and then plunges into a hurricane of vivid instrumental leaving thoughts and emotion running through the listeners mind.

"Tomorrow" hears the screeching of chord changes accompanied by the ever present lyrical intelligence of Elena; the track seems to paint the aftermath of heartbreak and has a very gloomy sound. "Still" is 3:44 minutes of romantic charm, the lyrics describe the perfect lover yet the music remains dismal and whiny and as the track progresses the lyrics turn to agree with the music "two hands digging in each other’s wounds."

"Shallows" is arguably the most upbeat track on the album, finishing it off like a happy ending to a story. It’s simple yet beautiful guitar work makes it easy to imagine the sun shining through an open window or a perfectly starry sky. The juxtaposition of the mellow vocal and the almost rough acoustic guitar glide out at the end of the track (and album) into a simple whisper summing up the gentle and romantic nine tracks that fell before it.

"If you leave" is a magically crafted, charming love story that tells the tale of a heartbreak and it’s consequences. Daughter have done exceptionally well to create such a juxtaposed beauty. Despite its dismal and dreary meaning the album could be listened to again and again whilst singing along.

Daughter - If You Leave
Out of 10: 7/10

Written by - Chloe Wilding

Buy / Daughter - If You Leave
Follow / [FACEBOOK]
Other / [OFFICIAL SITE] 

Interview with... Kate Nash

Kate Nash took some time out inbetween promoting her new album and touring to chat with Chloe about what she has been up to recently and her love for Cambridge!

You can check out our review of her latest album here.

Hey Kate! Nice work on the album; the new style seems to have gone down well with fans. What has influenced you when writing Girl Talk?

My personal life, I got emotionally burnt the past couple of years by a load of shit and I dealt with it by writing songs and focusing all my energies on this record and being as creative as possible. Also I started writing on the bass which changed my songwriting process.

It seems you‘ve had a busy year travelling to LA, hanging out with Willow Smith, forming a girl gang and working on your after school rock n roll club for girls. As well as that you found time to produce an album and do a tour. What’s been the highlight of the last twelve months?  

Staying in the Paramour Mansion and making the record with Tom Biller. It was just so surreal and magical and I was going through a tough time so it heightened everything. All the ups and downs I felt them so hard it just made the experience all the more incredible and heartfelt. It was wild staying in the mansion too, it was a silent movie directors home, then a convent and is now owned by an antiques collector and interior designer so there is crazy stuff everywhere, so much cool taxidermy, like polar bears and zebras and tigers and stuff. A lot of my close friends live in LA too so I had such a cool time.

"Sister" is arguably the most powerful track on the album and is a personal favorite; what inspired the track?

Friendship, deep best friendship, the kind that a lot of teenage girls have, and how difficult it can be for that kind of friendship to survive once you start hitting adulthood. You think nothing can tear you apart but I’ve had a lot of complicated female friendship heartache. It’s like you should probably just take the plunge and start dating sometimes and because you don’t it gets twisted and weird.

Feminism is an extremely clear theme on some of your latest tracks, especially Rap for Rejection and All Talk. The all-Girl band that you have established will be a key part of your tour; what difference has it made having the girls around?

I think it’s just more fun having girls around. It’s a nice feeling to have all women behind you on stage. It feels right for right now, the girls really get me and were really there for me through all the shit I’ve been through so I am really supported. It’s just comforting to be around people of your own sex I guess because you go through similar things and know how to connect and support each other on the road.

The first of your tour dates in Cambridge is fast approaching; you have always appeared as an artist that is close to her fans. Why do you feel this is important?

I feel super close to them and they give me a lot. They are basically the best most sweetest fans in the world too. They really open up to me about stuff and I feel like I have a platform to speak on and if I can inspire people to change things for the better whether for themselves or for others then I have a responsibility to do so.

Every track on girl talk has a different vibe and tells a story. Personally, which is your favourite to perform and why?

I love playing sister, it feels powerful like you said, and I think it sums up the attitude of the whole record. Also Underestimate the girl, and you’re so cool I’m so freaky.

Thank you very much for sparing time to answer some questions, all the best with the tour.
Thanks!

Interviewed by - Chloe Wilding

Album Review... Kate Nash - Girl Talk

After being told she was ''committing career suicide'' by NME after releasing her angriest track to date ''Underestimate the Girl'' Kate is back and more punk than we've ever heard her before. Feminism, love and a lot of bass have led to the release of her album girl talk. The question was, can Kate do punk? Well, she's managed it. The album is bursting with emotion with an overly punk-rock style with hints of surf rock and her well known poppy vocal.

Part heart is the first track on the album, setting the scene with a heavy bass, softly spoken vocal and an almost whiny climax. Then the album really starts, Fri-end, 3:42 minutes of poppy punk mixed with a grungy chest voice is a personal favorite off of the album. Kate's Girl Group style, earlier heard on my best friend is you is rediscovered but with a hint of punk and a hell of a lot more attitude.
The decission to write the whole album on bass has been highly influential, giving it a completely different feel to the majority of Kate's prior work. OHMYGOD and All Talk are very rock'n'roll. Kate has always been and honest artist and this album at point really portrays her pure emotion, the whiny screams of Sister really do tug at the heartstrings. Death proof shows influences from the punk/new wave era and at points resembles artists such as Blondie and Kim Wilde. Kate still has the lyrical charm of a the teenager we met in 2007, but her style has flipped completely and she is coming across as more angry than she is heartbroken teen.

When we saw the words rap in a Kate Nash song we all questioned it, right? However, Rap for rejection is arguably the most powerful track on the album, Kate's views on sexism and feminism are made extremely clear. ''You try to tell me feminism doesn't exist, if it doesn't exist, then what the fuck is this?!''. Although Kate is more likely to stick to the singing, the message is put across well and the track has a catchy vibe.

Lullaby for an insomniac brings an end to the album and is one of the most dramatic parts of it. Nash told fans whilst on tour that she wrote the song in the early hours of the morning when struggling to sleep. The track for the most part consists simply of Kate singing accapella in a beautifully mellow tone and the gentle ticking of a metronome. Kate's vocal is then replaced by extraordinary instrumentation repeating her vocal line.

Indie pop to punk-rock is certainly a transformation but Kate Nash seems to have pulled it off well. In terms of lyrics we are still hearing the same heartbroken teenager, but we've also been introduced to stronger themes and beliefs of Kate. ''I'm a marmite artist.'' This is definitely a love hate album, but whatever opinion is formed it's fair to say Kate has entered a new territory in the music industry with an ''Am I bothered?'' attitude.

Kate Nash - Girl Talk
Out of 10: 8/10

Written by - Chloe Wilding