More about: Nancy

Flicking effortlessly through genres and themes ranging from beach-pop, psych-rock and sultry grunge, NANCY has given us all and more on this delicately daring album. 7 Foot Tall Post-Suicidal Feel Good Blues, (7ft Blues) is a truly complex record, that feels as honest as it is weird, and sometimes, it gets really weird - in the best way possible.

Coming fresh off the back of NANCY’s recent Happy Oddities EP, 7ft Blues swaps out lo-fi for hi-fives and offers up a frantic, tragic and beautiful record. This album appears to be unapologetically NANCY. When speaking about it he said he’s “actually talking about me now”, something he felt he’d never been able to do before as a songwriter in the band Tigercub. He’s revealed a piece of himself that has been waiting for years to come out, and we love it.

The album begins with the title track, and NANCY welcomes us in with a cheek wobble before the songs Mr Scruff-esque backing track begins. It’s reminiscent of a circus, we’re guided into the entrance of a big tent as a series of unhinged performers leap out of the shadows with manic grins, and it’s wonderful.

‘Leave Your Cares Behind’ transports us into a rubber ring, floating out at sea somewhere, and it’s surprisingly effective. With a lovely chorus of “ba-dums” and chirpy whistles guiding us into the track, it starts off shy and somewhat calm, before the chorus explodes and we’re treated to a whole new symphony of sounds. Space age synths, combined with swinging 60’s guitar and some thrashy alt-rock drums create a perfect feel good concoction. 

‘Never Gonna Wake (Up)’ is a return to NANCY’s lo-fi rock roots, where his reverb-infused voice works perfectly with the age old combo of guitar and drums. At only one minute and eight seconds long, it’s over as soon as it begins and it led to me going back for a few more listens before I was completely satisfied I’d heard enough. It manages to be loud and heavy whilst still staying effortlessly fresh, great stuff.

Throughout the rest of the album we’re treated to some experimental smooth psych-rock (‘Don’t Pass Me By’), a fast and warped commentary on love ('Psycho Vision'), and a disturbing yet light-hearted look at the climate crisis (‘Happy Happy Happy’), there really is something for everyone on this record.

The last track on the album is the sublime ‘Death March’. Spiraling funeral keys open up this tune with a demonic ferocity. These keys accompanied by the howling chorus of voices of what can only be described as the devil's choir, make for a deliciously hellish track that asks the question: is NANCY a vampire? His unique lyricism shines through on this tune with the particular standout “Stiff from the day I died / calm in the afterlife” offering a view that perhaps life is a lot more peaceful in death. It’s the perfect closer and acts as a mournful goodbye to the album, leaving us, much like NANCY, wanting to know what's next.

Despite the constantly changing subject matters, 7ft Blues manages to stay consistent throughout: there are no slip-ups or songs that shouldn't be there, they all flow together perfectly making for a record that demonstrates not only NANCY’s prowess as a songwriter, but as a full blown musician.

7 Foot Tall Post-Suicidal Feel Good Blues arrives 15 January via B3SCI Records.

More about: Nancy