SOUNDTRACK: NATALIE PRASS-Tiny Desk Concert #827 (February 25, 2019).
I know Natalie Prass because “Short Court Style” was absolutely ubiquitous. WXPN overplayed this song to death this summer. At first I didn’t think much of it and then it clicked and I loved it. The bassline is fantastic and the vocals are just amazing. I was genuinely surprised to find out that Natalie Prass was white, because she sounded so soulful.
I genuinely had no idea who she was, so I was surprised that the accolades were so effusive and people spoke of her as if she were a legend. Well, this is only her second album, but it really struck a nerve.
Full disclosure: We here at NPR Music have decreed Natalie Prass something of a patron saint for roséwave — our groove-laden, pink drink-soaked soundtrack for the summer. So, when the Richmond, Va. artist arrived at the Tiny Desk, it was a cause for celebration, especially amid the January blues that seemed to permeate the NPR Music office. Decked out in matching, cobalt blue outfits (with a matching keyboard stand to boot), Prass and her backing band, comprised of Eric Slick: drums; Alan Parker: guitar; Jacob Ungerleider: keys; and Brandon Lane: bass, seemed to bring a warm breeze in with them.
“Oh My” opens with a thumping bass. When the picture appears, everyone is wearing electric blue. The song is very funky and Natalie does a great job with her little interjections of “No,” “hey,” “oh ho ho ho” and the titular “Oh My.” There’s a funky bass solo midsong. And throughout, Natalie is just so cool.
I didn’t really get a sense of the lyrics so I was surprised to read this:
There’s a sly political bent to Prass’ 2018 album, The Future and the Past. Ahead of its release, she said she actually had a different album nearly finished, but scrapped a huge chunk of it after [trump’s] election, which in turn led her to make this album instead. She highlights this mission statement on the album opener — and first song she performed at the desk — “Oh My.” It’s a track that speaks pointedly about the abject feeling of horror and exhaustion that seeps in when you tune into the news cycle, with bleak lyrics set against bright, dance-y music.
For “Short Court Style” (I always assumed it was called “Round and Round”), she brings out her backing singers, Angelica Garcia and Kenneka Cook: vocals. Everything sounds fantastic here live. She seems so free and easy singing this song, it’s a delight to watch her. And those funky bass lines are great.
Before closing with “Hot for the Mountain,” Prass tells the NPR office that “the song’s a little off the beaten path, but, I don’t know, it’s my favorite.” “We’ll take you on / We can take you on,” Prass, Garcia and Cook sing in unison, a refrain that resounds emphatically. Her vision was clear: If you want to overcome the times, find strength in numbers.
I don’t see what’s so odd about it. It doesn’t have a big hook like the other two songs, but there is a sing along chorus.
[READ: January 31, 2019] Cucumber Quest 3
Book three opens as our heroes arrive at Trebleopolis which is celebrating its birthday (clowns are everywhere). And no one celebrates louder than Queen Cymbal. She reveals that Princess Piano is going to perform a concert. All our heroes want is the Princess’ signature on their sword (she has signed weirder things), but they are told they have to wait until after the show. (It’s 110 minutes long…that’s like MORE than an hour).
But as the curtain opens, it’s not Princess Piano, but Noisemaker who comes out. Noisemaster is a hiphop DJ who is not only annoying but quite evil. For he is one of Nightmare Knight’s Disaster Masters and our heroes’ next conquest. Nightmare Knight makes an early appearance and is not playin’ with Noisemaster’s shtick: “I cannot believe you are still acting like this… I am being exceedingly ‘real’ Noisematser.” He ends, I will allow you this chance to prove yourself Do not waste it.
Noisemaster’s plan is to destroy the whole city if the noise machine hits 100%. And with Piano’s loud voice that should be no problem.
We learn that the Melody Kingdom was divided by two kings King Treble and King Bass. They fought and had to be separated by a wall which the Oracle created. The two sides have not seen each other in decades. The wall, named Mezzo is very chill and tells them exactly the kind of convoluted quest they need to go on to get the key to open the doors in the wall. Of course Almond and Carrot are right on that quest and they take off. (more…)
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