Kate Nash – Made of Bricks

Cheeky Sense of Humour

As if torn from the pages of her diary, songs of snide and funny reflections on the absurdity of relationships are cleverly written by the young Kate Nash on debut Made of Bricks. The British musical ingénue has managed to take a tired genre of piano pop and transform it with a modern swagger. Rather than pining for romance, Nash’s sarcastic observations contain realist subtleties against light piano parts and synthesized samples.A protégé of Lily Allen, as both are specifically British in reference but universal in experience, Nash uses the same London accent to annunciate her colorful words. Singing in an almost spoken word, slang vocal delivery, her laidback phrasing and rhythm have a dancehall cadence. Single “Foundations” is a prime example of Kate’s drawl and rocky times with a loutish lover: “You said I must eat so many lemons/’cause I am so bitter/I said/I’d rather be with your friends mate ’cause they are much fitter.” “Birds” showcases Nash’s acoustic singer-songwriter capabilities with a gentle ballad. “We Get On” contains a finger-snapping, truncated piano hook, while “Shit Song” and “Play” are electroclash numbers, reminiscent of ‘80s synth pop.

The blunt storyteller is a riot to hear and a joy to sing along to. The #1 UK album Made of Bricks cements the foundation of Kate Nash’s future as an artist.