Natalie Prass Starts A Bluesy Revolution In "The Future and The Past"

Equality is something everyone should push for, and its certainly something the women of music have been doing for a long time. Natalie Prass is making sure that message isn't lost in her newest record. Natalie Prass starts a bluesy revolution in The Future and The Past, a diverse and interesting record that has one goal: to make women's voices be heard.

What's initially surprising about The Future and The Past is its sound. Prass adopts a very funky sound throughout the album, immediately heard in opening track 'Oh My.' The soul-infused indie is complete with a big bassline and doo-wop vocals supporting the background. There's a lot of different aspects of this old-school soul sound explored in this album, such as the smooth pop of 'Nothing To Say' and the rockier, edgier instrumental of 'The Fire.' The influence of soul music from the 70s and 80s is very present throughout the album.

The messages Prass try to get across come out in powerful ways. The most effective comes out in 'Sisters,' the dramatic piano and punchy bass leading to a brooding, almost tantalizing verse that resolves with a jazzy choir singing "Keep your sisters close / You gotta keep your sisters close to ya." The chorus is where the real revolution starts, the beat getting more urgent and the vocals all uniting in one fight-song anthemic way, chanting "I wanna say it loud, for all the ones held down / We gotta change the plan / Come on nasty women / So all the bad girls here, let’s make that clear." Some songs are definitely more romantic and sweet, like the sensual 'Short Court Style' and the gentle 'Never Too Late,' but the songs that make a statement like that are undoubtedly the most powerful on the album. 'Ain't Nobody' closes the record with a glitchy production and a sassy tone, Prass singing "We're holdin' on, we'll keep holdin' on. Who's letting go? Not you, not you."

Natalie Prass starts a bluesy revolution in The Future and The Past, bringing elements of soul and jazz together to diversify a movement that's been going strong for ages already. It's sentiments that can't be said enough, and the way Prass delivers it not only gives it a unique new texture, but shows that there's a lot of work yet to be done.

Favorite Track: Sisters

Least Favorite Track: Interlude: Your Fire

Rating: 73 / 100

Stream or buy The Future and The Past on Apple Music, and follow our 2018 Playlist on Spotify: