Review: Nick Murphy Channels His Emotional Travels On New Album 'Run Fast Sleep Naked'
This is the follow up to his 2014 album 'Built on Glass.'
Ryan Middleton
via Future Classic
Nick Murphy, formerly known as Chet Faker, has released his new album Run Fast Sleep Naked. The album was made over four years of living a nomadic lifestyle, traveling the world for shows and inspiration. He made music in various places like his New York apartment, a Tokyo studio, his grandmother's living room and a rental in New Zealand.
The first thing you notice on this album is Murphy's voice that has been a constant over his musical evolution from Chet Faker to Nick Murphy. He doesn't just use the yearning, soulful voice, but imbues some other vocal patterns with Americana on "Henry Takes Drugs On The Weekend" or the wailing grungy feeling on "Sunlight."
Don't expect a full album of soothing Aussie electronic beats for Chet Faker to work over. Dave Harrington co-produced the record and his influence can be felt throughout. It feels more organic and true to the project that Murphy has been building with horns on "Never No" or more guitar-led songs like "Sunlight" or "Yeah I Care."
The record is a candid look at that searching over four years. He battles his owner inner demons and mental struggles like on "Sanity" singing in the first verse, "Couldn't see the signs for help, Uh, said I didn't know much better, Couldn't see the limits to my health, Uh, I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't." His travels took him to meet some different people who are battling their own issues and medicate on drugs or the attempt at finding love in such a crazy world.
When you run fast and sleep naked, there may be stumbles along the way and Murphy wants to be honest about that with himself and others. He is hear to tell his nomadic story with his own sort of vague songwriting and it is a joy to hear it all the way through.
Murphy is heading out on an extensive world tour this year, starting with Australia and New Zealand next month before heading to North America for June and July and then some European dates in the full. See the full list here.
Stream the album below and pick up a copy here.
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