What A Nasty Woman
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
A diverse artist who often uses humor to relay important messages, this quick listen from the Washington DC native Rachel Burns surrounds her disdain for the patriarchy
“Mansplainin’” opens the listen with a quirky, charming country spirit, where Burns’ playful voice is met with soulful backing vocals and bright brass, and “All Shook Up” follows with spirited guitar and expressive singing amid some funk nods that are quite memorable.
Halfway through, the piano focused “Pollyanna’s Lament” is a more intimate moment of beauty and warmth that builds into an emotive landscape, while the frisky “Tiny Hands” heads back many decades for the eloquent, retro ideas that welcome gritty horns, moody organs and wordplay about the status quo. The last proper song (the final tracks is a radio edit) is “Sundown Of The Macho Man”, where Burns’ throwback vision is met with a theatrical and memorable finish.
Burns is a cancer survivor, an activist and even though this is her sophomore release, she’s been an active musician for 2+ decades, and her inimitable brand of comical yet socio-political wordplay is much needed during these often troubling times.
Travels well with: Lauren Monroe- Message From Aphrodite; Amy Jay- Awake Sleeper