If there was ever a genre of music that I didn’t know what to title it, this would be it. Nah has become a name for many who love funky music but with a new sound. When you mix her zany sound with funk you get what she calls Wonky Funk. Does it have a definition?No. Has anyone coined the term before? No. Does it make complete sense when you hear her music? 100% YES.
Born in Nottingham England, Nao’s accent is very recognizable. Although accents dissipate when one sings, Nao’s seems to linger somewhat. This is not a problem at all and only adds to her mystique and incredible voice when she sings. First off if you haven’t heard a Nao song you should of course. She is very unique and no one sounds like her, and no one sounds like her. A very high pitched tone which not done correctly could be annoying. But Nao proves that you can make beautiful music with any voice if done properly.
It’s been 3 albums that I’ve been a fan of Nao and an avid listener. I saw her music recommended all the time on Youtube but never clicked on it. In hindsight I see that it was a mistake not to but I’m glad I did eventually. Also with a push from “The Joe Budden Podcast” of course, I became hooked. “So Good” and “February 15th” are both Ep’s. They were the perfect introduction to this world I didn’t know about and a delight to listen to. It was something fresh and different in a time of similarity. Sometimes it could seem impossible to stand out. Sometimes all you have to do is be yourself. Her first full length album “For All We Know” dropped in July of 2016. It was close to what the two EP’s sounded like so it was a lot of Nao that we knew and loved. Even the signature was the same on all 3 projects. The latest one would be a little different.
With this album we get not a new Nao, but a seemingly more mature Nao. With the first track you get a powerful yet soft sounding Nao. The beat roars in and takes over and completely meshes well with her voice. Nao is able to captivate the audience in a matter of seconds and that is just the beginning. We get a faster paced beat with “If You Ever” but for the most part this album is slower sounding than the other albums she has done. A lot of the tracks seem to allude to one person. Although on the previous album there were love songs and break up songs as well, this one seemed more personal. It seemed as if she was truly hurt and even though we don’t want people to be hurt, a lot of great music comes from it. This album seemed to not turn as many heads as the other projects did due to the abundance of music and news but it is still dope nonetheless. Nao continues to prove and improve and has put out two great albums. Like Kendrick she’s 2 for 2, no sophomore slump for her. Hopefully the Queen of Wonky Funk can 3-peat and get the recognition she deserves.
STANDOUT TRACKS
- “ANOTHER LIFETIME”
- “GABRIEL”
- ★“ORBIT”
- “DRIVE AND DISCONNECT”
- “A LIFE LIKE THIS”
EVERYONE HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
