Song of the Day: Nadine Shah - Fool

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s song, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is “Fool” by Nadine Shah from the 2015 album Fast Food on Apollo Records.

Nadine Shah - Fool (MP3)

Nadine Shah's ability to conjure humanity through severe, terse post-punk sounds underscores the emotive gravity of her musical and lyrical voice. Born to a Pakistani father and Norwegian mother, Shah began work on her first EP in her mid-twenties, fine tuning them for three years until they found a release in 2012's Aching Bones. That release was produced by Ben Hillier (Blur, Depeche Mode), who stayed on board for her 2013 debut Love Your Dum and Mad, which thematically focused on the suicides of two her previous boyfriends. The appropriately haunting album found critical acclaim in the UK, which created anticipation for her sophomore outing, this year's Fast Food. Also produced by Hillier, Fast Food somewhat moves away from the personal themes of her previous release, opting to analyze and criticize mass consumerism and instant gratification culture. When Shah states "you, my sweet, are a fool" in the chorus of "Fool", the album's second single. she significantly understates her conviction. Leading the razor-sharp guitars and brooding percussion, Shah remains the song's cool, steely-eyed center, never faltering in her stony gaze. However, underneath the song's sonic fire lies its most alluring element: Shah's languid vocal performance, equally growled and cood. Considering that Fast Food is an improvement on the promising Love Your Dum and Mad in nearly every way, Shah clearly knows her strengths, and "Fool" is a kiss-off as eloquently cutting as they come.

Nadine Shah completed a UK tour in support of Fast Food last month, and will tour Europe throughout the summer. Keep up with Shah at her Facebook and website, and watch the video for "Fool" below.