Written by Annie Barber.
Photo by Phoebe Fox.
Nadia Kadek’s debut EP is a captivating collection of songs which span the themes of love, change, and healing. Kadek deftly captures the organic sound of performing live in the EP’s tracks which are recorded at Hook Studios in the Oxfordshire countryside and Studio 13.
The EP’s opening track, titled ‘Feeling It All’, begins with Kadek softly crooning alongside delicately finger-picked acoustic guitar. The song has a very raw sound which enhances the depth of emotion found in Kadek’s lyrics, such as those found in the track’s chorus: “But I was only a kid / Every child needs a hero to live / And I still feel everything you did / And I just can’t make sense of it / I hope soon I let go of it.” It’s a simple yet impactful song that charts the all consuming emotions that leaving your childhood behind provokes.
Things pick up with second track ‘Lemonade’, which has an upbeat folk sound that encapsulates the feeling of driving down country roads with your friends. The track delves into the oh so human longing to be loved. The song’s lyrics are witty, with lines like “Is it love or just lemonade? / Sugar rush on a Saturday” accurately conveying the euphoric feelings you experience when you’ve just started seeing someone new.
‘Always Almost Losing you’ starts with drums and acoustic guitar, staying true to the stripped back sound of the EP. On this track, Kadek reminisces on a past experience with love that she has grown to understand and miss with age. The lyrics are ruminative and Kadek’s voice is filled with emotions as she repeating the words of the chorus, “I don’t know what to do / I’m always almost losing you / I just don’t know what to do about you” in the song’s outro.
‘Signals’ is a touching and emotional track with wispy guitar and twinkling production. Kadek’s vocals are showcased on the soaring chorus and outro as she sings about teenage love. With two verses coming before a single chorus which hits in the middle of the track, the song’s unusual arrangement is both intriguing and captivating.
The EP’s final and title track, ‘Green Car’ is an ambient song that perfectly captures the magical feeling of live music. It tracks fractured family relationships and healing is at the forefront of its lyrics. The repeated mantra “I want you to know I’m letting it go / I’m gonna sleep tonight” mirrors the lines of the first track where Kadek wishes she could let go. ‘Green Car’ fittingly brings that sentiment and the EP to an end.
With ‘Green Car’, Nadia Kadek has carved out her own path in the music industry and has cemented her place as one of the ones to watch. The EP is out now on Transgressive Records and available to listen to on streaming services. Follow Nadia on social media to keep up to date with her and get a ticket to one of her upcoming shows to see her play live – you don’t want to miss out!
4th November – The Forge at The Lower Third, London
7th November – Mutations Festival, Brighton
8th November – Pitchfork Festival, London
14th – 17th January – ESNS, Groningen, NL
Leave a Reply