SINGLE REVIEW: NICOLE ALLAN - USED TO BE
- 24 hours ago
- 2 min read
One of the joys of Country Calling is discovering the new artists buried in the lower half of the bill. They are not just making up the numbers they are the potential major stage players of future years to come, which brings #TEAMw21 to one who may be, one such act.
Nicole Allan comes blessed with the sort of voice that is always going to attract attention, self assured and ready made for Americana. Her latest single "Used To Be", has already severely dented the UK Country top 10 and it easy to see why.
There is an elegant simplicity in the acoustic guitar opening, before Nicole appears and takes command. A smattering of pedal steel, adds to the sound but it remains uncluttered as it finds Nicole in a somewhat bereft state.
"Standing in the water
Feel it running down my face
Wishing it was the rain
In a wide open space
Press my knees against my chest
And I rest my head
Staring into nothing
While the memories tell the rest"
Each verse is deeply descriptive, the first harbouring feelings to escape to somewhere different the second describing an almost catatonic cocoon like state.
The chorus acts a refreshing antidote, a decision to embrace change, the music sees the arrival of percussion, a powerful back beat giving this new vision some additional energy.
"Wash away my reflection
Down the drain with all those
Used To Be's
Let it pour, this new direction
As the old me turns to leave
Watch her go
Begin to be a different kind of me"
There is an air of confidence in the way that Nicole tackles those last two lines, it is split into three distinct parts, each with its own little pause. It is that refusal to be rushed, that allows the words to really sink home.
"Dressing for another day
Trying to find the strength to move ooh
Something somehow has changed
Maybe I'm just missing you"
The second verse sees Nicole in a far more rational mood, accepting the new situation she finds herself in.
The second take on the chorus takes a new direction towards end which then sees a lead into the bridge.
"Begin to be
A different kind of "Used To Be"
A fairy tale and everybody stayed
Being young in the sun
That never seemed to fade"
There's so much to marvel at, the construction, the musicality and most of all the performance.
Nicole Allan will be at Country Calling Chelmsford Aug 14th -16th
