It goes without saying that, given what I do for a living, I like a good song. How could I not? But, as much as I appreciate a well-wrought tune, I love it when said tune comes with a well-written set of lyrics. It is the oft-overlooked half of music-making; in lesser hands, the words can be just an afterthought, the addition of a set of words that sound nice but say little. And that is a gravely missed opportunity to be witty and profound and interesting and …well, everything!
Which is why I love what Salim Nourallah does on Nouralla, his 9th solo album. He does all of that I mentioned, and more. Okay, I’m late to the party, but you can’t be everywhere, can you? Although having now read that he has fairly recently collaborated with, among others, The Church and All About Eve guitarist Marty Willson-Piper, it is fair to say that I am kicking myself. Hard!
But at least, before I head down his back catalogue rabbit hole, I have this fine album to revel in. And revel in it I do. “Here For the Tears” is a lovely and lyrical slice of indie-pop-rock… for want of a better term, a blend of clever melody and flowing dynamics, accessible groove and gentle infectiousness. A great opening salvo and a great introduction to what is to follow.
“I’m in Love With A Nihilist” is a quirky and brilliantly off-beat blend of spaciousness and indie-folk charm, “Born With a Broken Heart” runs on bouyant bass and bouncing beats, a neat balance of chime and charm, “The Victim” has an echo of a funky, Stones tune and “Keep The Crazy” is a seductive slow burner.
If you are one of those people who likes their music tagged and labelled and pigeonholed into neat little boxes, then you will find Nourallah spilling about all over the place. If, however, you love the idea of kookie pop (in the broadest and best sense) songs becoming an essential factor in the modern musical landscape once more, then this is everything you need.
Kookieness is, after all, next to godliness…as the saying may or may not go!
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