phoebe novak - nothinghead

Phoebe Novak

Nothinghead
self-released; 2014

3.7 out of 5

By Ethan Skelton

Phoebe Novak takes her craft seriously, but when it comes to her past, she might as well have been raised by pixies. In her formative years, she spent some time in NYC growing up and shedding her skills amongst the highlife and downtowners. She crossed paths with similar sounding artists like Regina Spektor and the fates seemed poised to launch her into the same territory that Regina enjoys as we speak. But Novak's claim to fame is still in the making due to an unfortunate heroin addiction of the past that cost her a timely pass through with record labels and the like. But now she is back in her prime, healthy and renewed with vivid conviction and inspired by the times she was knocked down only to regain prowess like a stoic unicorn on her album Nothinghead.

Novak states, "The album sounds like a clean version of the controlled chaos I spew onto the stage and audience live. The recording process always presents the conflict I have with capturing a "perfection" that is raw and imperfect." Nothinghead's sound is like a combination of genres that are just looking to laugh in the face of cataloging. There really isn't a label you can put on it, just listen and appreciate. Or craft a pleasing quasi descriptor if you must. I just call the shots and here's the 411. Phoebe Novak is a different breed of songstress. She comes from a place of enchantment, fairy tales, whimsical phrases, nonsensical fodder and the general appreciation for fictional nirvana incarnate from the sensual arousal of musical adventure. The band is great and appropriately appointed, but the shining goblet of listener demand is awarded to Novak, hands down.

Her fantastic vocal range is showcased on every song. At times it's wavering on a yodel and then speak singing, at the next turn she moves to a soprano, striking high notes at the drop of a hat. No sooner and she's issuing full voiced belts, jumping lines of vibrato, and taking chances with vocal stretching that are at times nearly irritating, but the musically inclined know Novak is just bringing the melody to a stranger place, nothing is faltered. 

This woman has a unique approach to songwriting and uses her vocal abilities to navigate the staff like a playground. Her harmonic additions will turn heads the way they are so locked in, unnecessarily high, and almost expressionist in nature. "Raindrops" and "Jones St." are the standout tracks, but if you're into the abstract try out "Bliss.” Prepare to be wowed, entertained and perplexed.

Become A Fan

bandcamp