Nao’s newest studio album, Saturn—a follow-up to her 2016 debut For All We Know—solidifies the British soul singer’s brand of funk-infused, space-themed neo-soul. And although I’m not wetting my pants over it as much as her last record, Saturn is still exceedingly groovy and highly enjoyable.
There are only two other musicians featured on the project: fellow British soul singer Kwabs (“Saturn”) and Top Dawg R&B artist SiR (“Make It Out Alive”). A major standout is the title track, which uses the planet Saturn as a metaphor for a tumultuous and intense romance, with Nao singing, “I love the way you open my heart/I feel you around me like Venus and Mars/So baby, baby, baby, baby/Please stay and navigate to me.” On “Orbit,” Nao’s vocals are given the high-pitched Chipmunk treatment, which only intensifies the naturally occurring helium qualities of her voice. “Gabriel,” “Yellow of the Sun,” and lead single “Another Lifetime” are also super solid, and the chorus to “Don’t Change” is giving me subtle Motown vibes.
No matter what kind of song she’s singing, Nao’s unusual voice is her secret weapon. The last time she came to Portland’s Wonder Ballroom she sounded just as effervescent as she does on record, and nailed renditions of “Girlfriend,” “Happy,” and the hit single “Bad Blood.” If that last bubbly, joyful performance was any indicator, her upcoming show will be another to savor.
