Kate Nash
Made of Bricks

THE REVIEW

Are you familiar with "Pumpkin Soup", the song that introduced you to Kate Nash? Yes, the one that plays every 5 seconds on the radio that goes something like "I just want your kiss boy, kiss boy, kiss boy....". Good. Erase it from your mind. Why? Because there's so much more waiting for you in this legendary journey that completely strays away from the frontiers of pop and moves ever closer to the borders of alternative music, indie pop, and acoustic pop.

The album opens with an intro "Play" that introduces almost all the instruments featured on the album while she frenetically repeats the same phrase for nearly 2 minutes. Then "Foundations" begins, one of the best tracks on the entire album and the single that made her a real star in the UK, keeping her in the top 5 for 10 weeks. The music starts to transport you to an unfamiliar planet, made of swear words used elegantly and an unmistakable British accent that does not sing but tells real stories. Then "Mouthwash" starts, another incredibly original song already slated to be a single, with a fast and pounding piano solo. You've already realized you've chosen the right album. And the album continues with a flood of notes, unknown sounds, songs that you really won't find on every next album you buy. Here's the strange "D**khead" consisting of "mmmh", finger snaps, computerized sounds, and fast and spicy '70s/'80s disco-style violins. Then comes the love story of two young troublemakers enjoying a life with little money in their pockets but plenty of passion in their souls with "Birds", the "Sound of Music" style rhythm of "We Get On", the legendary "Mariella" that accelerates verse by verse, ending with a frenetic clattering of cymbals as if a child is busy banging spoons on pans and tapping on the piano keys. And then "S**t Song" with a background similar to the worst bar karaoke, but with a captivating and irresistible rhythm. Followed by the aforementioned "Pumpkin Soup", which by this point in the album, you will view with totally different eyes, and the magnificent "Skeleton Song" accompanied by a simple piano chord repeated perpetually and a melodious violin. Then comes "Nicest Thing", the only slow song on the album, with chords that vaguely recall the best rock sounds. It all ends beautifully with a lively "Merry Happy" with a chorus sung by some charming "dududududadudu". And at the end, you tell yourself it's a real shame that this great album is already over. 

What can I say? Truly a beautiful debut album, without a doubt. Not a single song below average, all could be singles and reach high positions. Great Kate.