Called A Fool There are certain records that can pull you in closer to the studio and writing rooms that an artist used to create the musical landscape around them. Self-Soothing is one of those albums. Nona Invie, the ultra-talented songwriter from Minneapolis, crafts arguably her most personal LP to date. “This is a very personal record. I felt very selfish making it. Self-indulgent,” Nona says. “I am an introvert, but I need to share. This record touches on feelings of guilt and shame after a long-term relationship ended, on remembering friends who died too young, on toxic love in friendship and romance, on hopeful feelings of creating and living in a fantasy.” Over the course of eight heartfelt songs, Invie bares her full beautiful soul for all the world to see, and features some of her strongest songs to date.
Album opener of “Forget My Name” begins with soft piano strokes backed by strong synths to bring the right atmosphere into Nona Invie’s musical landscape created here. The harmonies between her and Cole Pulice & Cole Davis simply must be heard to be believed, and Invie shines on the early standout. “Last Of Our Shadow” follows the smooth opening statement and Invie’s voice takes center stage on a song that reminded me a bit of Florence + The Machine. When Invie goes into her higher vocal register, the song begins to accelerate and takes flight towards the heavens. The steady programmed beats allow for Invie to balance her vocal approach in just the right way.
”For Now” opens very vulnerably with Invie singing over a piano and she gradually decides to add in some horns and a sweeping orchestra section to tug on the heartstrings of anyone who takes the time to listen. Other standout moments occur on the latest single, “Called A Fool” that puts Invie into the upper echelon of talented songwriters today. And the album closer of “Love Is Like That” cuts the core of what makes love so powerful, and at times, brutal. When Invie sings, “Lay all the blame aside / I’ll be there for you / Lay all the pain you hide / Still I’ll be there for you” it sounds as vulnerable as you’d expect for a record called Self-Soothing that is a gripping reminder of the importance of self care and healing. Nona Invie shines brighter than the North star on this album this cements her as a key artist to watch.