Timeless is an understatement: Nell Smith and ‘Anxious’ as a stirring celebration of rememberance
At Far Out, we write reviews every week. In doing this, we come across a huge range of different music, which includes songs to dance to, songs to sing along to, and songs that evoke a whole host of emotions. There’s never any telling what one week will bring, but in my whole time reviewing albums for Far Out, I’ve never come across anyone quite like Nell Smith. Her story is equal parts inspirational and soul-crushing, and her debut album, Anxious, is a perfect reflection of both of these things.
I’ve never been a huge fan of the term “natural talent,” as it seems to diminish some people’s achievements. I have no doubt that some people are born with more of a natural inkling towards tone and melody, and other people are born not so musically gifted (not that I’m jealous or anything). However, those with the instinctive, natural ability still need to work on it, hone it and perfect it. Smith was clearly dedicated to doing this, and the result was an incredibly mature, sweet-sounding and dreamy voice.
It’s hard to correctly pinpoint exactly what it is about her voice that draws you in, but there is an unmistakable magic there. Call it effortless beauty. When she sings, there is a real talent and wonder there, but it doesn’t sound as though she’s straining to achieve it. It’s equal parts impressive and settling, making it a perfect listen.
This talent was recognised from a young age, as at 15, she was enlisted by The Flaming Lips to help record an album filled with Nick Cave covers. The psychedelic and ambient sound of The Flaming Lips, paired with Smiths’ subtle and serene singing, made for great covers of Nick Cave songs. The intimacy of the original is there, but a new spin is put on them.
Smith was subsequently signed to Bella Union, and work on her debut album began. She was working with Jack and Lily Wolter from Penelope Isles in Brighton, and the work for what we now know as Anxious began. The record was finished, and it marked the beginning of what promised to be a great career; however, this was unfairly cut short when Smith was killed in a car crash at the age of 17.
Simon Raymonde, the co-founder of Bella Union and bassist for the Cocteau Twins, confirmed the news of her passing on October 7th. “We are all shocked and devastated to hear of the sudden and tragic passing of our artist and dear friend, Nell Smith, over the weekend in British Columbia. Nell was just 17 and was preparing for the release of her first solo record in early 2025…” He wrote, “While we all try and come to terms with the awful news, and out of respect to Nell’s grieving family, we are unable to make any further comments at this time.”
This is a tricky one for a writer, as there are no words to truly describe the heartbreaking nature of someone dying so young. Parents lose a daughter, a brother loses a sister, and while there is no “right” time for such a loss to happen, 17 is definitively no age. It’s unfair and unjust, and our deepest condolences go out to Smith’s family and friends.
Loss is applied on a broader scale here, too, as the musical world mourns the loss of a talent it was barely able to scratch the surface of. When you listen to the work Smith did with The Flaming Lips, her ability is evident, and this shines through even more on her posthumous release.
Those serene vocals we became familiar with jump into a new light, one of independence and originality. Penelope Isle’s hazy, dreamlike nature comes through wonderfully and wraps itself around Smith’s outstanding voice in a way that makes it hard to imagine the words anywhere else.
Listening to a posthumous album will always be sad; however, the circumstances surrounding this album shouldn’t detract from how good it is. Sad moments feel enhanced somewhat, of course, and happy moments feel wonderfully nostalgic and sweet. However, if Smith were still here, this record would still stand out as something special. It’s equal parts, something to ponder over and move to, and more than anything else, it is an example of an outstanding voice in music.
A lot of records are described as timeless, to the extent that the term feels slightly overused, but there is little else that could be applied here; in fact, timeless almost feels like an understatement. Smith’s success is an inspiration to other aspiring artists; her talent is something that the music industry can hold onto forever, and these songs can be a lasting part of her for friends and family even after she has passed.
This ten-track piece of art is well worth a listen, both individually as an album and in the broader sense of representing a talent that wasn’t given time to flourish.
All sales of the album will go towards the Nell Smith Memorial Fund, which was set up by her family. The fund will honour her legacy and also support upcoming musicians.
