Nada Surf - Never Not Together
by Zena Grieg
published: 17 / 3 / 2020

Label:
City Slang
Format: CD
intro
Thoughtful Beatle-esque power pop on ninth album from New York alternative rock act Nada Surf
The New York group Nada Surf have just released their new album ‘Never Not Together’. This long-lasting band, spanning over two decades, have evolved their distinctive sound through different genres, from the lyrically thoughtful pop of their 2002 album ‘Let’s Go’ through the rawer complexion of the 2012 ‘The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy’ to the current album. In contrast to their debut 1996 hit ‘Popular’ with its irony and subversive critique of American high school popularity, their lyrical direction is now informed by a straightforward and authentic sincerity. In ‘Never Not Together’ the key themes are alienation, empathy, the wonder of love, friendship and the ultimate interconnectedness of all human beings. ‘Never Not Together’ has a variety of catchy pop songs, starting with ‘So Much Love’. There are sweeping guitar solos and whispered monologues. The album is characterised by a longer song structure. This allows the band to explore a plethora of different musical sounds including strings, synths and even a choir in ‘Looking For You,’ which starts off as an almost orchestral waltz before exploding after three minutes into a towering sing-along chorus – "what you’re looking for’s looking for you, too." ‘Matilda’, with its powerful lyrics on growing up and sounding different, is a poignant calling out of bullying and homophobia that moves from acoustic guitar to explosive rock. ‘Never Not Together’ is not so much about venturing into new musical territory as encapsulating the sound Nada Surf have so successfully made their own, a thoughtful Beatle-esque power pop with the emphasis on pop. The band will be performing songs from their new album and old favourites at a number of UK and Irish venues this Spring.
Track Listing:-
1 So Much Love2 Come Get Me
3 Live Learn and Forget
4 Just Wait
5 Something I Should Do
6 Looking for You
7 Crowded Star
8 Mathilda
9 Ride in the Unknown
Band Links:-
http://www.nadasurf.com/https://www.facebook.com/NadaSurf/
https://twitter.com/nadasurf
https://www.instagram.com/matthewcaws/
https://www.youtube.com/user/nadasurf
Label Links:-
http://www.cityslang.com/splash/https://www.facebook.com/cityslang
https://plus.google.com/+CitySlang/videos
https://twitter.com/cityslang
https://www.youtube.com/user/CitySlang
interviews |
Interview (2012) |
![]() |
Jamie Rowland speaks to Matthew Caws, the front man with New York-based alternative rock act Nada Surf, about their extensive career and latest album, ‘The Stars are Indifferent to Astronomy‘ |
soundcloud
reviews |
The Stars are Indifferent to Astronomy (2012) |
![]() |
Engaging and typically seemingly effortless combination of sing-a-long pop accessibility and quality foot-stomping rock on seventh album from New York-based alternative rockers, Nada Surf |
most viewed articles
current edition
Spear Of Destiny - InterviewRobert Forster - Interview
Fiona Hutchings - Interview
When Rivers Meet - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Carl Ewens - David Bowie 1964 to 1982 On Track: Every Album, Every Song
Brian Wilson - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Chris Wade - Interview
Pistol Daisys - Waterfront, Norwich, 29/5/2025
Credits - ARC, Liverpool, 17/5.2025
Gary Numan - Berserker
most viewed reviews
current edition
Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a CircleGarbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light
Vinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid
Little Simz - Lotus
John McKay - Sixes and #Sevens
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
HAIM - I Quit
Morcheeba - Escape The Chaos
Vultures - Liz Kershaw Session 16.06.88
Billy Nomates - Metalhorse
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart