Nina Baker – ‘Quite Frankly’

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With distinctive vocals and lyrics that touch on love and being loved, ‘Quite Frankly’ is, quite frankly, exquisite.

A classically trained pianist, Nina Baker was handpicked by BBC Introducing to attend their 2013 Master Class – and beat over 500 others into the final round. She was also runner-up in MTV’s ‘Brand New for 2013’ unsigned competition. Not bad!

‘Quite Frankly’ is Baker’s debut album. Opening with ‘Single Bed’, a feisty relationship ending song, it leads into ‘Bruising’, a more sombre song, about the demise of a relationship, and has received extensive airplay, including BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music. ‘Breaking Every Rule’ – a more classical song – gives Nina the opportunity to allow her voice to soar – full vocals and piano-led, it’s a gorgeous song and the highlight of the album.

There’s something for everyone in the thirteen tracks on ‘Quite Frankly’ – ‘Tell Me’, is a psychedelic dream, while ‘Clown’, with its poignant lyrics, such as,

“I’m killing my well-being and the world is clearly seeing/that the thought that fills my mind are all the things I left behind”

…is all at once melancholic angst and pain, evoking loneliness through the lyrics.  The entire album feels very personal – when listening one gets the impression that we’re note quite supposed to be here, that Nina is singing her thoughts and ideas to herself, there’s a feeling of almost voyeurism. Dedicated to her late grandfather Frank Baker, it’s beautiful, ethereal, evocative…quite frankly, a lovely album.

‘Quite Frankly’ is available on Amazon and iTunes.

Nina Baker - Single Bed [Official Video]

About the author

Lisa has been writing for over 20 years, starting as the entertainment editor on her university newspaper. Since then she's written for Popwrapped, Maximum Pop, Celebmix, and ListenOnRepeat.

Lisa loves all good music, with particular fondness for Jedward and David Bowie. She's interviewed Edward Grimes (Jedward), Kevin Godley, Trevor Horn, Paul Young, Peter Cox (Go West), Brendan B Brown (Wheatus), Bruce Foxton (The Jam), among many many more. Lisa is also available for freelance writing - please email lisa@essentiallypop.com

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