Kim Deal
Nobody Loves You More
4AD [2024]
“From orchestral surprises to indie rock grit, Kim Deal delivers a solo debut that’s nothing short of stunning.”
Album Overview: Dayton, Ohio’s Kim Deal, an indie rock icon, rose to prominence in the late 1980s as the bassist for Pixies. Her creative vision flourished as a founding member of The Breeders, shaping the sound of 1990s indie rock. She also released The Amps (1995), which is still one of my favorite Deal releases and has built a legacy that bridges grunge, punk, and pop. While Nobody Loves You More marks her official solo debut, her solo career began in 2013 with the release of an excellent 10-song vinyl series. Over the past decade, she has crafted Nobody Loves You More, a record that blends familiar and unexpected styles. The eleven tracks are both unlike anything heard from Deal before and exactly what fans want from her now. Intimate songwriting drives the album as the sound arrangements elevate each track to a higher level but her unmistakable voice is the piece that holds all of them together. From the surprising orchestration of the opening title track to the closing indie rock anthem featuring her Breeders bandmates Jim Macpherson and Kelley Deal, with engineering by the late Steve Albini, Nobody Loves You More serves as both a retrospective of Deal’s iconic career and a fresh, bold chapter that highlights her singular voice and perspective.
Musical Style: Nobody Loves You More spans a range of musical textures, from stripped-back acoustic introspection to energized rock compositions. Each track feels unique, drawing on elements of lo-fi aesthetics, layered melodies, and larger arrangements. The album balances occasional experimental flourishes with grounded songwriting, allowing Deal’s distinctive voice to shine while evolving in fresh directions.
Evolution of Sound: The album reflects Deal’s growth as an artist. Tracks here from her solo series vinyl releases retain their raw immediacy here but are refined with more polished production. Later additions, such as “A Good Time Pushed,” recorded with Steve Albini, showcase a more focused and collaborative approach. The result is an album that bridges the unfiltered charm of her early work in all projects with a more nuanced and mature style, creating a perfect mix of past and present.
Artists with Similar Fire: Fans of Nobody Loves You More might find parallels with other legacy artists, but Kim Gordon stands out as a strong comparison, especially with her own risk-taking on The Collective (2024). Deal’s artistic swagger also echoes Jenny Hval, while her intimate yet layered approach recalls PJ Harvey. The playfulness of Tune-Yards, the guitar-driven fierceness of Sleater-Kinney, and the introspective experimentation of Cat Power are also evident in her sound.
Pivotal Tracks: “Are You Mine?,” written about Deal’s mother who suffers from Alzheimer’s, evolves from its acoustic 2013 origins into a poignant anchor for the album, delivering an emotional resonance. “Coast,” inspired by the Florida Keys, offers vibrant imagery and an infectious, upbeat bounce. The final track, “A Good Time Pushed,” leaves a lasting impression with its indie rock energy, reminding listeners of Deal’s roots. “Disobedience” is a mid-album rocker that captures the classic Deal sound. The Prodigy-like electronic beats of “Big Ben Beat” are a surprising delight, showcasing Deal’s rapid-fire wordplay. The opening title track, “Nobody Loves You More,” is equally important, breaking expectations and setting the stage for the album’s surprises.
Lyrical Strength: Deal’s lyrics weave personal stories with universal themes, offering a mix of directness and metaphor. Tracks like “Are You Mine?” explore familial bonds with depth and sincerity, while “Coast” uses vivid imagery to transport listeners. Her ability to blend personal experience with a touch of mystery keeps the audience engaged. On Nobody Loves You More, Deal once again demonstrates her talent as both a storyteller and a poet.
KIM DEAL PROJECTS REVIEW HISTORY
All Nerve (The Breeders) (2018) / LSXX (The Breeders) (2013)
KIM DEAL LINKS
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | 4AD
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I always liked Kim Deal and I dowloaded this with anticipation based on the strength of your 4.5/5 review. The album is not that good. The production is awash, and her vocal delivery is idiosyncratic, flat and not that great. The lyrics have personal things to say as you said, but the overall musical experience is not 4.5/5. When Doolittle came out it got 4-4.5 stars across the board. 3.5 fro Rolling Stone. That was a great album. When I think about 4.5 star records across history, those are truly exceptional records. This is not. The rating inflation in your magazine and in indie overall is embarrassing. Yes, we want to see these artist succeed. But you guys gotta get real.