{"product_id":"thao-the-get-down-stay-down-we-brave-bee-stings-and-all","title":"Thao \u0026 The Get Down Stay Down - We Brave Bee Stings and All","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"As sharp as I sing, it still soothes you, doesn't it? Like a lick of ice cream?\" sings \u003cstrong\u003eThao Nguyen\u003c\/strong\u003e on her \u003cstrong\u003eKill Rock Stars\u003c\/strong\u003e debut, \u003cem\u003eWe Brave Bee Stings and All\u003c\/em\u003e. Whether it's intentional or not, the line describes her sound perfectly. Nguyen's rich, breathy voice -- and the way she croons, yelps, and drawls with it -- recalls \u003cstrong\u003eCat Power\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eFiona Apple\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eSinéad O'Connor\u003c\/strong\u003e. However, these comparisons suggest that Thao is a searing, intense artist when nothing could be further from the truth: her country-tinged indie folk-pop is playfully observant, mischievous with just a hint of vulnerability. By playing against type and putting a voice that seems tailor-made for brooding into songs that are sunny and sweet, Nguyen carves out her own intriguing territory among indie folk songstresses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn \u003cem\u003eWe Brave Bee Stings and All\u003c\/em\u003e's first two songs, \u003cem\u003e“Beat (Health, Life and Fire)”\u003c\/em\u003e builds brass, ukulele, and piano to an urgent but joyous peak, while \u003cem\u003e“Bag of Hammers”\u003c\/em\u003e is as rambling as it is catchy. The interplay between Nguyen and her band, \u003cstrong\u003eThe Get Down Stay Down\u003c\/strong\u003e, is more intuitive than ever, and the album's fuller sound (courtesy of producer \u003cstrong\u003eTucker Martine\u003c\/strong\u003e) complements her more fully formed songs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn fact, most of the album is so cheery that it's a good thing Nguyen's voice isn't delicate, or her music might be sickly sweet instead of fresh and engaging. Fortunately, \u003cem\u003e“Feet Asleep”\u003c\/em\u003e's Dixieland moxie and \u003cem\u003e“Geography”\u003c\/em\u003e's jazzy flourishes help keep the album from sounding too predictable. Even if this isn't Thao's first album, \u003cem\u003eWe Brave Bee Stings and All\u003c\/em\u003e is a fine introduction to her music.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kill Rock Stars","offers":[{"title":"Eco Mix Gray Vinyl LP","offer_id":58361347178841,"sku":"SDZ-47576","price":31.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0588\/3455\/0945\/files\/We-Brave-Bee-Stings-and-All.png?v=1781889467","url":"https:\/\/spindizzyrecords.com\/products\/thao-the-get-down-stay-down-we-brave-bee-stings-and-all","provider":"Spindizzy Dublin","version":"1.0","type":"link"}