Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
You cannot take back what was said yesterday, it hangs in the air of conversations and gossip-monger’s hearts as they find ways to bring you down to their level of insecurity or passionless existence. What you may have said, what your thoughts were being dictated to at the time may be of little consequence to the outside world, after all, the muse requires feeding, and rarely with a closed mind or mouth; and yet those that hold onto a word indefinitely if it means they have something to beat you with, the misspoken word said in jest can soon become a poison that keeps on giving.
It is to the beautiful soul of Kate Nash that perhaps some will never see past her reasons for speaking her mind, after all, she has a lot to say on certain subjects and they are words that should be heeded with the wisdom and passion that they contain, a woman who truly does what she says, a human being and artist who is not afraid to tread on the toes of the ignorant if it means her music is taken seriously.
It is a seriousness that once more comes through with unrelenting fervour, a mind wishing to explore a new way to express her thoughts, and one that suggest that whilst Yesterday Was Forever, there will always be a small, untarnished part of Kate Nash overwhelming it.
Yesterday is gone, but like the ghostly presence of once held beliefs, vanquished in a war between who you were and what you are now, yesterday remains, it looms large over how others see you, how they respond to your ideas; for those that sit by your side in bad weather, there is always a ray of sunshine in the way you smile in song and lyrical cool and that is no different to how fans and newcomers alike will arguably see this particular album.
In songs such as Life Is Pink, Hate You, Karaoke Kiss, California Poppies and My Little Alien, Kate Nash comes alive in the ears of the listener, the vocals powerful, the words, as always, telling and significant.
A wonderful return for one of the most honest of performers of the last 20 years, a return which pleases the soul immensely.
Ian D. Hall