This year, Nell Smith’s debut album, which she was working on before her tragic death at 17 years old, will get a posthumous release through Bella Union Records. Anxious is available for pre-order now and will drop on April 11.
Videos by American Songwriter
The title track has already been released along with the music video. “Anxious” is a bright, psych-pop track that explores moments of anxiety and self-consciousness, and the willingness to work through those feelings. In the video, Nell sings over dreamy guitar, easy percussion, and synthy sound effects as she walks through her neighborhood. Her vocals are somehow youthful and world-weary at the same time but no less expressive for their maturity.
In addition to releasing the album, Nell’s family has set up the Nell Smith Memorial Fund. All proceeds from the album will go to the fund, which will help benefit young musicians. The goal is to raise $100,000 for the fund, which will distribute $10,000 per year in grants for 10 years. The Smith family is also accepting direct donations to the fund, with more information on Nell’s website.
[RELATED: Nell Smith, Teenage Flaming Lips Collaborator, Dead at 17]
Teenage Musical Prodigy Nell Smith’s Debut Album Gets Posthumous Release Date
In 2021, at just 14, Nell Smith collaborated with the Flaming Lips on a Nick Cave cover album, Where The Viaduct Looms. As her debut in the music world, this collaboration marked the start of her promising career, linking her to big names in the music industry who appreciated her talent and drive. Tragically, she passed away before she was able to see her dreams come to fruition.
“It is still very painful when I realize Nell is gone,” said Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips in a press release. “I keep thinking I’ll check my text messages from her. I’m sure she has a new drawing or new piece of a song or a new photo of her cat… and then I remember she is gone.”
He continued, “Now when I’m listening to her singing these songs there is a brief fantastical joy. Her voice hits the ear, the ear tells brain this is the sound of love, the brain lets the mind fly through the billions of connections it has with Nell’s life … but as it flies it also flies to her death … there is something holy that happens now.”
Anxious Represents All Different Facets of Teenage Emotions
Nell Smith’s work was imbued with the spirit of her youth and the uniquely joyous torment that comes with being a teenager. The album is threaded through with elements of love, apprehension, anxiety, loss, ambition, grief—all the things that make being a teenager simultaneously freeing and stifling. The emotions are raw, but the work has been polished to a shine with help from Jack and Lily Wolter of the band Penelope Isles. Their partnership with Nell helped bring out those diamond-in-the-rough emotions during a recording session in 2022, Nell’s first and only recording session for the album.
Through support from her community in the music industry, which also included collaboration with the band Shred Kelly, people from all over will be able to appreciate Nell Smith’s music.
Featured Image by Alex Hanson
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