What I love most about the new EP from Nia Nicholls is the surprising styles that have arisen in her music. For all that the Swiftian comparisons of the past remain, there are also elements of pop that have been hard-pressed into ‘Marionette’ to create sounds more retro than Taylor herself. Take ‘Movies from Cannes’ for instance. The production smacks of late-90s band vibes in the best way. It brings sass and attitude which are reflected in lightly humorous, lightly stinging lyrics. As always, Nia adopts a “subtle sarcasm” in her storytelling which, like on ‘Goldilocks’, tends to make the best of heartbreak. ‘Sad in London’ is another case in point. Its techno-heavy approach used to convey the frustration and chaos now associated with a city tainted by the actions of an ex-lover. Despite its highly divergent approach stylistically, it nevertheless lends itself to the narrative that Nia wishes to convey. This points to an evolution in her music which is no longer just acoustically-driven but rather is shaped by the stories at the heart of her songs. Thus, ‘If You Were a Song’, with its “heartfelt” and “positive affirmation”, is channelled through the piano. And ‘I’m a Marionette’ features music-box rhythms and accordion-like beats to playfully subvert friendship. This expansion of musical flavours is what lands this EP in more unfamiliar territory when it comes to her catalogue. But thankfully the twists in her lyrical storytelling remain, making this a pleasantly refreshing listen for fans of Nia Nicholls’ music.
You can listen to ‘Marionette’ on your chosen listening platform or contact Nia via her socials to purchase a physical copy.
Featured Image (C) Nia Nicholls
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