Kate Nash - Made of Bricks (2007)

Made of Bricks technically came out in the U.K. in 2007, but didn't hit the States until January this year. I first heard of Kate Nash after reading a comparison to Lilly Allen, and was pleasantly surprised at first listen. I love her voice, her heavy use of piano, and her melody and lyrics that are super catchy. I frequently find myself humming and singing (in my best English accent),"why you bein' a dickhead for/ you're just fucking up situations." Then, I kick myself in horror because I'm vocalizing this sentiment in public (not unlike the time I had to put a serious curb on listening to "Golden Streams" by the Hidden Cameras).

Instead of trashing her ex's like Allen, Nash prefers to stew in the thoughts of her ne'er-do-well boyfriends and her own insecurities. She reminds me of what it was like to be 19 again - dramatic, nonsensical, and sometimes sweet (but not too sweet, one must keep up the ball-busting exterior). Every song in Made of Bricks is like a chapter in Nash's own private diary, all packaged up and set to a pop beat or a thoughtful tune. In "We Move On," her friends attempt to assuage her devastation over a boy by saying, "like whatever/you'll find someone better/his eyes were way too close together." Truer words were never spoken. Love it. Love it. Love it.

Other favorites include "Foundations," "Birds," and "Mouthwash."