The gushing press that has heralded the self titled debut album from Cleveland born and now Nashville based singer songwriter Natalie Prass is more than deserved. After two long years in the can courtesy of a decision by her Richmond label Spacebomb to concentrate on the 2012 album Big Inner, by label head Matthew E. White, her album finally sees the light of day. However, it would be unfair to point the finger at Spacebomb for the delay in the sense that it’s not so much a label but a stable of immensely talented musicians in the mould of the house bands of the late 50’s and early 60’s putting out music that is fiercely independent in all facets, distribution included. And Spacebomb’s musical prints are all over Prass’s exquisitely constructed soul, country and pop infused songwriting. While there is a definite sense of nostalgia that filters through the record, especially in its embellishments (closer ‘It Is You’ a case in point), this is actually a futuristic sounding document, all the more refreshing in its refusal to follow current trends. The album is out now on all formats and available on vinyl here. It’s already sold out in a number of places so get in quick.
