oh my

Album review

Bringing together singer Nadia Hulett with Carlos Hernandez and Julian Fader of Ava Luna, oh my is the debut LP of indie pop trio NADINE. With a restrained, jazz-inflected sophistication that can evoke '70s jazz-rock and the softer side of Laurie Anderson, at least in passing moments, the group steers clear of Ava Luna's more vivid sound. Here, playful reflection and understatement reign on a set of 11 songs that still challenge expectation. On the more whimsical side, "Ultra Pink" seduces with a dance-funky groove and blippy electronics behind Hulett's silken vocal tone, which alternates between spoken and sung repeated phrases. The slinkier "Not My Kind of Movie" features complementary piano and keyboard timbres, a fat bass tone, and jazzy chord progressions, while "Contigo" is a quietly glitchy interlude with layered vocal samples and effects. A sparer track like "That Neon Sign" has an a cappella opening and closing, more earnest lyrics, and sustained accompaniment. The album as a whole is guided by Hulett's quiet confidence and includes production touches that surprise and enrich without disturbing an overriding calm coolness. A skillful debut by musicians with notable prior credits, they've settled into something intriguing and distinct out of the gate.
© Marcy Donelson /TiVo