Summary:The debut full-length release for the London-based artist Shygirl features contributions from Arca, Bloodpop, Sega Bodega, Noah Goldstein, Danny L Harle, Mura Masa, and Caroline Polachek.
Rounding off with the fitful “Wildfire”, Shygirl closes the curtain on a remarkable musical universe that shows she’s one of dance music’s emerging greats.
With Nymph, Shygirl brings another original voice in the mix; good luck hearing a record that portrays sex in similarly tactile, authentic and effortlessly cool fashion.
Shygirl has created a project that screams for attention. It slithers through a jungle of sound. Tracks reminiscent of a shattered lullaby, or a disjointed reflection on a past relationship. Shygirl has basically created an entire genre all her own.
There’s nothing reserved, nothing toned-down about this record. Though she seldom sings above her speaking register, it’s the proverbial strength of Shygirl’s voice that gives Nymph its undeniable power.
Ultimately, ‘Nymph’ is a climax – a culmination of years of experimental foreplay – that puts Shygirl on the map as one of the UK’s freshest voices. It honours the altar at which Shygirl was born, but gently trickles into an adjacent brook, to where we might see her next.
Nike, a skeletal hip-hop number that hears Shygirl compare the joy of a fling to ordering a Big Mac, is one of a few dud moments. Otherwise, Nymph is a distinctive, sensual and striking debut.
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view.
”I need somebody who's gonna remind me, what I came for” is the best phrase to describe the feelings while listening to this album. First three singles from this album, ”Firefly”, ”Come For Me” and ”Coochie (a bedtime story)” weren't the best choice for the first three singles, so I was a little scared about the quality of this album, but... unnecessarily.
Listening to full album is like eating a juicy, sweet, and a little bit sour **** Shygirl is still shy, but at the same time she's a bad **** She's a real nymph there. Album is sensual and sexual, it's penetrating your mind. Even if every single song isn't as amazing as you wish. If I would have to choose best tracks, I would choose ”Nike”, ”Shlut”, ”Poison”, ”Honey” and ”Wildfire”. There's almost half of an album. That's why I rate this 10/10, because I haven't heard a better music album earlier this year.
This is not the end. I couldn't fail to mention references to 00's music. Even if it's glitch, there are so many connections to the R'n'B from 2000s. Also, there are connections with deep electronic and to dance music from the turn of the 90s and 00s. For example, ”Firefly”, which maybe wasn't the best lead, but it reminds me of ”You're Not Alone” by ATB. ATB's version is a cover of the same-titled song by the British band Olive however, I remember more ATB's, because it's like a deep dive to my childhood, when this song was playing in the radio in my father's car. Shygirl by this album activates my best memories from early 00s. She's not copying one-to-one music from that time, she co-operates with it, she creates a superstructure. She relates to the best EDM tracks without abandoning her concept, without abandoning herself. She's still a queer woman with a big dick energy.
This album is a real banger. Probably the best of the year. I usually don't rate 10, but ”Nymph” deserves.…Expand
Genuinely one of my favourite albums this year. Shygirl prices that the future of music is in safe hands with the likes of Sega Bodega andGenuinely one of my favourite albums this year. Shygirl prices that the future of music is in safe hands with the likes of Sega Bodega and surprisingly BloodPop, who previously flopped with his Chromatica efforts. Some of favourite tracks from the albums have to be Woe, Firely and Heaven.…Expand
Nymph is a great album with outstanding production. One of the best electronic albums of 2022 for sure. Personal favorites are Woe, Come ForNymph is a great album with outstanding production. One of the best electronic albums of 2022 for sure. Personal favorites are Woe, Come For Me, Shlut, Coochie (a Bedtime Story), Heaven, Nike & Wildfire.…Expand
the Sophie ,arca and uk club influence converge on this record for a formidable 32min. the mc shygirl is a charasmatic dj who brings out athe Sophie ,arca and uk club influence converge on this record for a formidable 32min. the mc shygirl is a charasmatic dj who brings out a chill night clubbing energy that pulses with hedonism,joy and confidence and sometimes humour. the lead single ''shlut'' is a pop radio ready outlier that simmers with personality . or the honest less than a minute ''missin' you'' which confesses not being over a past love despite sleeping with others.…Expand