Listen: Move - Jodie Nicholson

I recently found time to watch Luca Guadagnino’s movie A Bigger Splash. As I mention in my review of the movie on Letterboxd, the film conveys the brutal, dramatic electricity that occurs when the general predictability of human interaction and behaviour disintegrates to leave just the id. I found the movie thrilling in the way it feels like things are constantly on the verge of falling apart.

As a piece of music, British artist Jodie Nicholson’s Move simmers with a similar sense brooding intensity. Opening with chords that slowly increase in volume as Nicholson delivers hushed vocals, Move always feels like a track that as much about the spaces between the sound as the sound itself. Much like A Bigger Splash, Move never quite tips over into the sheer chaos it threatens. Despite that, it always manages to feel so much bigger than it actually is. The economy is wonderful - this is a piece of music that has the intensity of techno and disco, yet it never has to break its cover beyond a canter. It doesn’t need to, because the strength and gravity is implied by its gait.

Move was produced remotely during the coronavirus lockdown by Tim Bran, who has also worked with London Grammar, Birdy, Halsey and Aurora. Here he has helped Nicholson create something beautiful and subtle and mesmerising. Describing the song’s creation, Jodie says:

”On the surface, its message is typical of a generic pop song, but as the track evolved in its creation, Move has become a powerful symbol for taking a feeling and running with it. It’s been an organic, impulse-driven song from the get-go and in many ways feels like an awakening. I never thought that my first time working with a producer would be during a global pandemic. Working remotely with Tim was fascinating. As I recorded vocals, he controlled my computer from the other end of the country, and we streamed the audio from both sides so we could listen together in real-time. It was honestly mind-blowing. I feel very grateful for current technology and Tim’s knowledge.”

Check out Move below:

Produced remotely during lockdown by Tim Bran (London Grammar, Birdy, Halsey, Aurora), Move sees Jodie’s ethereal vocals come to the fore amid a hypnotic and mesmerising soundscape. Bringing to mind the effortlessly cool electro-indie-pop leanings of The Japanese House, the sparse hushed vocals of Dodie and the haunting synth vibes of Grimes, Move is the perfect soundtrack to a chilled out late summer’s night. In a breakthrough 2020, Jodie has already picked up airplay from Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music, BT TV Music & Amazing Radio, as well as numerous live sessions, BBC Sounds playlists and ‘Track of the Week’ accolades from BBC Music Introducing. With the support of respected tastemakers including Fresh on the Net, Maverick Magazine, Record of the Day, Alexrainbird, Mahogany & Sofar Sounds, Jodie has quickly emerged as one of the UK’s most exciting new artists. Influenced by the likes of Daughter, Lucy Rose, Bombay Bicycle Club, Rae Morris, Pink Floyd, Ex:Re and Laura Marling, Jodie isn’t afraid to experiment, explore and enhance each song’s raw foundations. Using songwriting to unravel a deeper understanding and sense of self, Jodie’s music sees wistful narratives, delicate melodies and emotive lyrics sit atop deep-rooted themes of melancholy and longing. Funded by Help Musicians UK’s prestigious ‘Do It Differently’ Award, Move is the first in a series of new releases that Jodie Nicholson will be sharing over the coming months. Previous press: “To say that Jodie Nicholson faces a bright future would be doing her a disservice… she is all set to make a very big dent in the music world” – Maverick Magazine “Jodie Nicholson has beautiful tone to her voice, and if she keeps the quality up it’s only a matter of time before she is a household name” – Fresh On The Net “Jodie Nicholson is a captivating performer and writer of beautiful music. Her melodic and ethereal style alongside her note-perfect delivery can reduce the rowdiest of audiences to pin-drop silence” – NARC. Magazine “Has a touch of Stevie Nicks... Nicholson has consistently showcased herself as a songwriter of increasing quality, and a powerful performer” – Record Of The Day “An emotional quality to her sound that falls in the likings of London Grammar, Daughter and Laura Marling… She is amazing!” – Give It A Spin “Nicholson is one of a kind, her music creates new waves” – LeFutureWave