In the realm of music, it’s a rare occasion when an album not only captures the essence of an artist’s journey but also stands as a testament to their resilience and artistic evolution. Nina Nastasia’s latest project, Jolie Laide, in collaboration with guitarist Jeff MacLeod, is precisely that—an album that is as much a personal catharsis as it is a musical odyssey.
Before delving into the album itself, it’s essential to understand the journey that led to its creation. Nastasia, originally hailing from Southern California, found early freedom on the Pacific Coast Highway, a symbol of endless possibilities and youthful liberty. However, life’s complexities soon engulfed this sense of freedom. Moving to New York City, Nastasia developed a unique musical style, a blend of gothic and Americana, that resonated with an audience craving emotional depth and lyrical complexity. Despite achieving a cult following and admiration from figures like John Peel and Steve Albini, her career took a hiatus following her partner’s death, a period marked by grief and introspection.
Her return to music was marked by “Riderless Horse,” an album that laid bare her grief and loss. However, “Jolie Laide” is not just a continuation but an evolution. Teaming up with MacLeod, a guitarist known for his improvisational flair, the album becomes a journey through memories, pain, and the quest for a sense of place and belonging.
Jolie Laide’s soundscape is a complex tapestry woven with Nastasia’s emotive vocals and MacLeod’s versatile guitar work. The guitar takes a central role, diverging from Nastasia’s previous work. MacLeod’s riffs are not just accompaniments but conversations with Nastasia’s vocals, sometimes harmonious, at other times discordant, reflecting the album’s thematic journey from hope to disillusionment.
The album is a narrative, a travelogue of emotional landscapes. It begins with a sense of buoyancy in “Back to the West,” where Nastasia’s vocals interplay with MacLeod’s uplifting guitar. However, this lightness soon gives way to a more profound exploration of life’s inherent uncertainties and disappointments. Songs like “Away Too Soon” and “Why I Drink” delve into themes of existential emptiness, the fleeting nature of hope, and the solace sought in escapism.
Nastasia’s songwriting is at its most poignant in “Jolie Laide.” The songs are not just melodies but stories—tales of love, loss, and the relentless search for meaning. “Moves Away Towns” and “Isolation View” encapsulate the album’s essence: the struggle between the desire for freedom and the reality of isolation.
The album’s production deserves special mention. Recorded amid the pandemic, it has an intimate feel, as if each song were a personal confession. The use of reverb, harmonized vocals, and MacLeod’s guitar work create a soundscape that is both haunting and deeply resonant.
“Jolie Laide” is not just an album; it’s a journey through Nina Nastasia’s internal world, translated into music. It’s about the quest for home, not just as a place but as a state of being. The final track, “Blue as Blue,” epitomizes this journey—a resignation to the complexities of love and life. It stands as a testament to Nastasia’s resilience and her ability to transform personal hardship into profound artistic expression. This album is a must-listen for anyone who appreciates music that delves deep into the human experience.
TRACKLIST:
01 “Pacific Coast Highway”
02 “Move Away Towns”
03 “Away Too Soon”
04 “Why I Drink”
05 “Death Of Money”
06 “My Darling”
07 “God Of Gamblers”
08 “Isolation View”
09 “Blue As Blue”
Jolie Laide is out now via Oscar St. Records.
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