My favourite musical discovery of 2018 has been Nadia Reid. Reid is from Dunedin in the south of New Zealand, and ‘Richard’ is from her second album, 2017’s Preservation. Preservation was runner-up for album of the year in Mojo magazine, and it’s deserved.
Like any confessional female singer-songwriter, Joni Mitchell‘s Blue is a reference point, but Reid’s work already has an individual identity. Reid’s songs are engaging, not least because of the tension between her pure voice and her sometimes unsettling lyrics.
‘Richard’ is elegant, but there’s a tension lurking beneath the song’s calm veneer – filled with memory and imagery. Sam Taylor’s guitar supplements the pretty melody.
There’s a lot of depth to Reid’s work, and her songs are stunningly poised for a 25 year old. Reid’s statements on artistic inspiration are also insightful; “This place of newness must be where all the good stuff happens. An artist must be uncomfortable, must tour the world, and mustn’t stay in her home-town for too long.”
And here’s a bonus live version of ‘Richard’, recorded live on Later… with Jools Holland:
[Verse 1]
Richard liked the sound of his own voice
By the kitchen in the mirror
It extracted all of our teeth
Filled the sink with blood
And I am on the cross of forgiveness
He wanted it final, finally[Verse 2]
And I ain’t afraid to say it
He is strong when it comes to love
And I was driving places in his heart
Bound for endless love
Pushing at the arrow of time
Taking back the hand that is mine[Verse 3]
Out there playing cricket with my brother
He is taller than me
Ain’t no way to say it other than
I have fallen from you
Pushing at the arrow of time
Taking back the hand that is mine[Verse 1]
Richard liked the sound of his own voice
By the kitchen in the mirror
It extracted all of our teeth
Filled the sink with blood
And I am on the cross of forgiveness
He wanted it final, finally
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Fantastic review! One of my favorites of yours!
Your post has been added to the Your Song — A Community Collaboration page!
Thanks for organising!
My pleasure! Thanks so much for joining in. 🙂
If it’s blue-esque, without being at all derivative, sounds good to me!
Never heard of this til now, and now I thank you! Well done!
You’d think I would have picked up on it earlier, given it’s a New Zealand album that received decent overseas recognition, but often I’m busy catching up with older music.
Ah but these are the great discoveries… doesn’t really matter when they happen, it matters that they do!
Thank you for introducing me to Nadia Reid.
No problem – enjoy!