Kate Nash - Foundations

by Anthony Strutt

published: 3 / 7 / 2007

Label: Fiction
Format: CDS

New single from much hyped London singer-songwriter Kate Nash, which finds her on what is only her second single outgunning Lily Allen

Review

After just one 7 inch on Moshi Moshi, Cockney Kate Nash has signed to the Cure's old label Fiction and has released a brillant follow up to that debut, 'Caroline's a Victim'. 'Foundation' has a happy feel, a hand clapping beat to warm us up, and a softly strummed electric guitar, which eventually speeds up as Kate's vocals get more angry towards the shithead that is the male character in the song. Kate has a great eye for detail and everything is clearly delivered in a style which is straight and to the point. To a degree this song is about boyfriend hassles, as was Kate's fellower Londoner Lily Allen's 'Smile' but Kate is a far better musician and songwriter. 'Foundations' comes in both a CDS and two single versions. The B side of the CDS is 'Habanera' which is wacky in a 1920's way like Kate Bush gone mad in theatreland or Bjork at her most experimental. 'Navy Taxi', one of the 7 inch single's B sides, is a solo piano tune, sung in a Cockney accent, about drinking the night away and the following day's hassles because of it. It is absolutely charming. 'Old Dances', which appears is on the other 7 inch, is again piano based. It is old fashioned with a soft isolated vocal and again completely compelling.