By Bethany Marris, Online Muisc Editor
Nao's Saturn tour stops off in Bristol this Tuesday. Bethany Marris previews.
Neo Jessica Joshua’s unique brand of electronic R&B has climbed from strength to strength since the release of her 2015 debut album, For All We Know. Under the moniker ‘Nao’, the artist first exploded onto the UK music scene in 2014 with So Good EP, featuring tracks such as ‘Adore you’ and ‘Good Girl’. Heavily influenced by producers Jai and AK Paul, Joshua articulates the abundance of distorted bass and choppy beat-shifts that lace her work as ‘Wonky Funk’.
Last Autumn, Nao released her second studio album, Saturn. Whilst maintaining stylistically distinct, the 2018 record exhibits the artist’s vocal capacity upon a slightly more accessible, pop-electro soundtrack. ‘Accessible’, however does not mean boring nor ‘mainstream’ as Saturn offers a track-list that is far from static. With soulful expressions of loss on ‘Orbit’ juxtaposing an uplifting groove on ‘Love Supreme’, Nao navigates a whole host of emotions through a cosmic lens.
Moreover, prior to her solo success, Nao performed as a backing singer for artists such as Jarvis Cooker and Kwabs, yet her break-through can be seen through the latter lending smoky vocals on the record’s eponymous track. The tables have turned, Nao is experiencing her moment. Confident in her craft and assured in style, Saturn foreshadows a very special tour from a rising star.
Nao will be playing Bristol’s O2 Academy this coming Tuesday.
Click here for details and tickets.
Featured Image: Nao/ CarryOnPress
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