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Similar to many other singer-songwriters in the past, Nadine Shah, who was born in South Tyneside, has used her personal experiences as a source of inspiration. Her first album, Love Your Dum and Mad, which was released in 2013, was a way for her to cope with the loss of two friends who died by suicide. In her most recent album, Kitchen Sink, released in 2020, Shah criticizes the absurdities of being a woman in her thirties. In between albums, she has been vocal about issues such as racism and her song Topless Mother sheds light on her disappointing therapy experience. Another song, Twenty Things, pays tribute to her friends who have also struggled with sobriety, some of whom did not survive.
The concept of trauma exploitation has rightfully been called into question, particularly when race and gender play a role. However, Filthy Underneath is a thoughtfully crafted work that navigates both musical and emotional growth, even as distress surrounds it like rising flood waters. Shah’s experiences of caring for her dying mother, going through a divorce, attempting suicide, and seeking rehabilitation are handled with a delicate observational approach. The influence of producer Ben Hillier is evident in the connection between Shah’s intimate lyrics and the stadium goth sound of Depeche Mode, with whom she recently toured (Hillier has worked with both artists). Yet, a heightened sense of rhythm propels Shah forward relentlessly, and her icy, sweeping melodies draw inspiration from non-Western sources such as Sufi singer Abida Parveen.
Source: theguardian.com
