LoneLady - Nerve Up

LoneLady
Nerve Up

Where to start with this lady? Electrifying and eclectic seems about right. In some respects, LoneLady owes her sound to the pop greats of the past such as David Bowie, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna and New Order. But comparisons aside, Julie Campbell, the singer-songwriter and solo guitarist behind the name is an entity in her self. A Fine Art graduate and an advocate for meaningful inventiveness, Nerve Up is a spunky, shoulder-popping, feet-tapping slice of pie right from the start, and it gets better with each listen.

‘If Not Now’ is a good indication of what’s to follow; swaying synths, taut drumming, jagged guitar and reverberating vocals. It’s gripping hearing this energetic girl-angst debut unfold. Apart from the drums, everything is performed by the artist herself and she effortlessly works her tight electric rifts over the album. Self-conscious and raw, there’s no bandwagon jumping here. This is the kind of pop that inspires the younger generation to pick up an instrument, not just prance about in their underwear (there’s a time and a place for that, read on).

Pop has always been very full of itself; image is a big thing and for many, it precedes substance. LoneLady is subtle in her image. If she stays true to this unprocessed spirit, she won’t be overshadowed by lobster headdresses or skimpy outfits: we need someone like this in the music scene. She has been hyped up on the BBC’s list of ‘Ones to Watch’ and rumours of a Mercury nomination for Nerve Up are already circulating. Readers should believe the hype. This album has the core essence of pop all in check: immediate, catchy, moving, and memorable.

Nerve Up has a real sense of space, probably because it was recorded in the studio of a secluded run-down mill in Manchester, the musical hotspot she calls home. Even though it was completed in four weeks, LoneLady manages to get the timing and deliverance of her snappy songs just right. Like other post-punk revival bands such as Bloc Party and The Strokes, she possesses a sense of urgency. And importantly, her tracks have that all-important danceability factor. Girls, you know what I’m talking about. There’s nothing better than sticking on a good album and dancing round your room (in your pants is optional). Boys, get with the programme. The title track is full of attitude and 90’s hand-clapping beats; imagine Salt-n-Pepa air-grinding between the funky ting-ting-a-lings and heavy breathing.

‘Cattletears’ is full of pounding, edgy emotion and droning noises – good for walking. More disjointed, tingly electro-numbers precede the softly slow burning closer ‘Fear No More’. LoneLady upholds that New Wave energy and tension throughout Nerve Up with tight beats, finger-flicking chords and solitary, searching vocals, even though you can’t make out all the words. But there are times when LoneLady could really let loose. I almost want her to go stir-crazy and burn the house down on some of the tracks. Perhaps, that’s just me. Given all the changes in technology, LoneLady’s music sits somewhere between past, present and future and she should feel very proud of this debut. Let’s hope there’s plenty to come.

By Kristina Georgiou

Nerve Up is out now on Warp.