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Similar to many other singer-songwriters, Nadine Shah, who was born in South Tyneside, has used her personal experiences as inspiration for her music. Her first album, Love Your Dum and Mad, released in 2013, was a reflection of her mourning process after losing two friends to suicide. In her most recent album, Kitchen Sink, released in 2020, Shah critiques the absurdities of being a woman in her thirties. In between albums, she has been vocal about issues of racism and her song Topless Mother delves into a negative therapy experience with her characteristic honesty. Another song on the album, Twenty Things, pays tribute to those who have joined her on the journey to sobriety, some of whom did not survive.
The concept of exploiting trauma has rightfully been called into question, particularly when it involves issues of race and gender. However, the album Filthy Underneath feels like a thoughtfully crafted vessel in which both musical and emotional growth occur, even as pain and suffering continue to be present. Shah went through a series of significant events, including caring for her mother during her battle with cancer, getting married and divorced, attempting suicide, and seeking help through rehab. Yet, she navigates through all of this with a sensitive and observant approach. The influence of producer Ben Hillier is evident in Shah’s intimate lyrics and the theatrical style reminiscent of Depeche Mode, with whom she recently toured (Hillier has worked with both artists). However, Shah’s distinct sense of rhythm drives the album forward, and her ethereal, sweeping melodies showcase influences from non-Western artists like Sufi singer Abida Parveen.
Source: theguardian.com
