{"id":6017,"date":"2012-08-01T00:26:12","date_gmt":"2012-07-31T23:26:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nusic.org.uk\/wordpress\/?p=6017"},"modified":"2012-08-02T16:04:31","modified_gmt":"2012-08-02T15:04:31","slug":"natalie-duncan-devil-in-me-album-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nusic.org.uk\/wordpress\/natalie-duncan-devil-in-me-album-review\/","title":{"rendered":"NATALIE DUNCAN ‘Devil In Me’ – Album Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>She is the first Nottingham artist to release an album backed by a major label this decade, so the pressure was on NATALIE DUNCAN<\/a><\/strong> to deliver with her debut. Thankfully, all expectations are met and exceeded. A melting pot of influences ranging from classical to jazz to soul, \u2018Devil in Me<\/em>\u2019 compositionally sits somewhere between Pink Floyd<\/strong> and Alicia Keys<\/strong>, harnessing bluesy piano with a drop-dead vocal. However it is arguably Miss Duncan\u2019s lyrical prowess that is the standout feature of the album. Few songwriters possess the ability to convey their life story so effortlessly yet it is something this 23 year old has mastered. \u2018Devil in Me\u2019 <\/em>is not just an album; it\u2019s her therapy, each song saturated with personal experience.
\n
\nThrough spine-tingling melodies, intimate lyrics and a voice that could melt the hardest of hearts you are drawn into Natalie\u2019s world, a world where heartbreak and self-destruction battle with hope and optimism. The anguish felt in opening title track \u2018Devil in Me\u2019 <\/em>is tangible, its lyrics exploring the futile resistance to addiction (\u2018like a dying dog that\u2019s begging for your bone\u2019<\/em>) set against an almost waltz-like piano accompaniment. The raw vulnerability of the vocals in \u2018Villain Hands\u2019, \u2018Flower\u2019<\/em> and \u2018Find Me a Home<\/em>\u2019 rival those of Dusty Springfield<\/strong> and the retro r&b feel of \u2018Keep Her Smiling<\/strong>\u2019 has all the slick stylings of Emilie Sand\u00e9<\/strong>. Personal favourite \u2018Old Rock\u2019<\/em> is Regina Spektor<\/strong>-esque in its approach, the up-tempo melody disguising the torment buried in its meaning. Darkly evocative single \u2018Sky is Falling<\/em>\u2019 has Radio Playlist written all over it, the repeated line \u2018Hell I don\u2019t<\/em>\u2019 channelling a vintage Nina Simone<\/strong> vibe. Although she flirts with an array of influences and genres, \u2018Devil in Me\u2019<\/em> works as a cohesive whole, each track strengthened by its core influence and held together by Natalie\u2019s flawless storytelling.
\n
\nThere is no doubt that NATALIE DUNCAN<\/a> <\/strong>has all the talent, grace and ambition to be the next big female solo artist 2012 is crying out for and \u2018Devil in Me<\/em>\u2019 is brimming with top ten potential. So if you are looking for your new music crush, then steal away a couple of hours, plug yourself into \u2018Devil in Me\u2019<\/em> and indulge yourself in one of the finest debuts of this year.
\n
\n‘Devil in Me’<\/em> is available on iTunes HERE<\/a><\/strong>.
\n
\nYours in Love of New Music,
\nMaddie Hammond X
\n
\n#spreadthelove<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

She is the first Nottingham artist to release an album backed by a major label this decade, so the pressure was on NATALIE DUNCAN to deliver with her debut. Thankfully, all expectations are met and exceeded. A melting pot of influences ranging from classical to jazz to soul, \u2018Devil in Me\u2019 compositionally sits somewhere between…<\/p>\n

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