Only a year after surprisingly good debut album of Nicole Saboune, we are getting another positive surprise called Miman. On the cover, we see a photograph from Nicole’s childhood. You instantly guess what this album is about. Is it about growing up? Is it about dealing with the past? Something like that.
Must Exit was an album based on existential philosophy and literature. We have felt disturbing story of searching for identity and growing as a person.
Her second album is a self-conscious continuation. Nicole wanted to prove she is not one-hit wonder. She is going to bring so much more. She was not followed with second album curse because this album is even better than her debut. The reason for it is in great production, mature lyrics and even more conspicuous vocal that tends to experiment to the point beyond singer’s limitations.
She is the author of her songs. Raising the bar so high with what she made right now is very interesting to me. Her lyrics are so mature and substantial but also enriched with various contexts. If Must Exist was existential collection, Miman is overexistential collection. The story of self-acceptance and accepting others, about meaning and nonsense of life and love; the story about fears and desires, about self-empowerment and strength. The only flaw is this album lasts too short for this multiplicity of topics.
Still, all of my expectations were spot on. Eight songs represent self-conscious persona. They took me to some warm places where love, individuality, friendship and life are celebrated. First single Lifetime is definitely the best track. Nicole summarized her whole experience and sang about it in a stunning post-punk interpretation. Kudos to the braveness to dig deep inside her own psyche. She managed to showcase her vulnerability in tunes like Bleeding Faster. Love anthem Under Stars (For The Lovers) show her romantic side. Rip This World and WeAre Not Losers are dedicated to the beauty of youth. Closing track Withdraw is a perfect end to a perfect album.
Nicole Saboune is a huge talent and we need to recognize it. She would probably already be a big star If she was coming from UK or United States. Fuck geography! This is how post-punk should sound from female perspective.
