When you look beyond specific journalistic labels, it is fair to say that most musical styles can be called ‘roots’ music – soul, blues, folk, rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, country, R&B – anything that has its origins in community rather than commercial endeavours, essentially. And all those influences are woven through Identity, Lady Nade’s impressive new album.
The title track kicks things off: a song that celebrates the wonderful uniqueness of every human, a call to revel in the many aspects that make us who we are, and a signal that this album has plenty to say. And that is what Lady Nate does so well: she marries accessible songs with memorable messages about everything from love and loss to hope and connection.
This opening message continues in the brilliant blend of serenity and sass of ‘Waiting for a Train,’ which sees her on the platform waiting for that metaphorical engine to arrive, a rock ‘n’ soul groover whose impetuous and restless energy mimics the rattle and hum heading towards her and ‘Sober’ is a fun song with a serious message and a sound that feels straight out of 50s girl group, doo-wop territory.
Another recent single, ‘Bloom’ rounds things off, brilliantly optimistic, an anthem for everyone waiting to find their feet, have their day in the sun moment and grow into the person that they were intended to be, and a song echoing the sort of delicacy we last saw in Joni Mitchell’s finest moments.
If I use the likes of Lianne La Havas and Corinne Bailey Rae as reference points, it is not to suggest that Lady Nade is in any way a copyist, but to point out the exquisite, not to mention lofty, benchmarks she has set for herself. And I can’t end without saying, as fantastic as the songs found here are, it is her voice, more than anything, which stays with you – soulful, seductive, scintillating, warm, welcoming and wonderful – dare I say it, a voice that comes along only once in a generation. And if you think that’s too far into the realms of hyperbole or rhetoric, play the album and tell me I’m wrong.
I’ll wait….
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