One glance at the cover of Nadine Shah’s third album, ‘Holiday Destination’, gives a large clue as to what lies inside. The sleeve photograph, of a war-torn building in Gaza, could very well have been taken at any one of the battlegrounds that are beamed directly into our homes night after night. From the off, this is an uncomfortable, disturbing and occasionally terrifying listen.
In 2014, the catalyst for the record emerged while Shah soundtracked her brother’s Al Jazeera documentary on a refugee camp between Turkey and Syria. Further seeds were sown while playing in Istanbul and as she studied the reactions of holidaymakers when refugees arrived on the beaches of Kos.
They failed to acknowledge the humanitarian crisis happening before their eyes, only concerning themselves with their own narrow purview. “There was this one couple,” she recently told Clash. “And they’d said: ‘It’s really ruined our holiday’.”
The agitated opener Place Like This hints at the discontent within. It jerks its way through almost six minutes before the title track appears.
There, Shah’s cry of “How you gonna sleep tonight?” comes backed by eerie tones and a genuine sense of foreboding. It’s haunting and totally compelling.
The mesmerising Out The Way brings in post-punk guitars and militaristic percussion before a frenzied sax break that recalls the manic interlude in Ian Dury and the Blockheads’ Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick.
The brilliant Yes Men, meanwhile, delivers its damning verdict through hollow guitars that recall the Cure and Siouxsie & The Banshees. They contrast against a beautifully melodic chorus. “He is ruling the world surrounded by yes men,” Shah sings.
Ordinary is anything but. Its ascending five-note piano line combines simplicity with jazzy sax while someone grapples with wild synths in the background. Mother Fighter, a song about a Syrian woman Shah saw featured in a documentary, derives power from impressively busy drums that pummel alongside bursts of guitar.
Album closer Jolly Sailor – named after Shah’s local pub – focuses on another of the record’s major themes: the rise of nationalism and intolerance. It discusses how the working class in the north of England was “hoodwinked” into backing Brexit. It’s far from jolly, serving more as a wind-down.
‘Holiday Destination’ has the uncanny ability to remain nervously edgy throughout, which is an incredible achievement for an artistic statement lacking visual output. It shifts and writhes, both uncompromising and uncomfortable. It remains intriguing at all times while generating a palpable sense of menace.
Nadine Shah Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Wed October 11 2017 - GLASGOW Oran Mor
Fri October 13 2017 - LEEDS Brudenell Social Club
Sat October 14 2017 - SHEFFIELD Leadmill
Sun October 15 2017 - CARDIFF Globe
Mon October 16 2017 - MANCHESTER Band on the Wall
Thu October 19 2017 - LONDON Islington Assembly Hall
Sun October 22 2017 - BRIGHTON Concorde 2
Click here to compare & buy Nadine Shah Tickets at Stereoboard.com.
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
