Album Review: Nai Palm - Needle Paw

Needle Paw is a meditative, intimate, heart-achingly honest gift that'll seep slowly into every single inch of your being.

The rich voice that opens on Wititj (Lightning Snake) Pt 1 is warming and welcoming. It's the most beautiful preface to what follows - a sanctuary of sound, in its most sincere form, lyrically and musically.

This entire offering is comprised of vocals and guitar— nothing more, nothing less — and honestly there's nothing else required. Nai Palm repurposes harmonies as more than just mere backing vocals, rather a collection of percussive instruments that colour phrases and word; emphasising emotions in a raw, moving way. From the slick, syncopated Crossfire/So Into You to the pensive Mobius, Needle Paw keeps on giving.

Layer upon layer of intense vocals float seamlessly into each other, like smoke into air, accompanied by winding, serpentine guitar melodies. Her voice is delicate at times and explosive at others, however it's always passionate and empowered. The vocals, guitar and space itself are recorded incredibly well, with every single lingering silence, bass string, slap, twang and slide able to be felt deep in the chest.

With relatable references to nature, love, growth and home, Needle Paw paints pictures of experiences and emotions felt by all, but Nai Palm articulates through song like no other.