Nic Cester is renowned as being the frontman of Australian band Jet, being part of the all-star rocknroll band The Jaded Hearts Club as well as releasing an outstanding debut solo album in Sugar Rush.
The Skipping Girl , released digitally on 5th November and physically on 12th December, shows a different side to Nic’s creativity as the mini album is accompanied by a children’s book.
Influenced by being a father in lockdown and finding imaginative ways of keeping his daughter entertained, Nic leant on his own childhood memories and tales from his own father to do so.
He used his hometown of Melbourne, Australia, as the launchpad and in particular the famous Skipping Girl sign, that sits on Victoria Street, Melbourne, which sits on the album front cover.
The album consists of 8 tracks and features the Orchestra Italiana del Cinema (best known as the late, great Ennio Morricone’s orchestra), who recorded the albums amazing and mesmerising strings.
Goodnight Beautiful is the albums oldest track, written some 10 years ago, and is full of sublime piano playing and majestic strings which sets the tone perfectly for what’s to follow.
Forever starts off on acoustic guitar and builds and builds with strings and is one of the many highlights of the album. Forever features Nic’s Italian backing band The Milano Electricca, the only track to do so.
Emily wouldn’t have sounded out of place on Sugar Rush or a Jet album. It demonstrates Nic’s capacity of writing heartfelt and powerful lyrics.
Cry Baby was co-written with his brother and Jet drummer Chris and is a poignant ballad that encapsulates the heart and soul of the album, mainly where The Skipping Girl’s future adventures may take her and the adult emotions behind the story, which which are too nuanced to be conveyed in a children’s book, to come to life.
The lyrics on Don‘t Lean on Me will be instantly relatable to many and explore relationships and situations where someone has been let down. The strings on this track are powerful and awe-inspiring.
Ordinary Love is a haunting and atmospheric soundtrack. Nic has produced a piece of music that tells a story, like a fairytale, full of twists and turns and ups and downs, leaving the listener in suspense as to what’s coming next. The strings are poignant and powerful on this track.
The Way That We Are is full of uplifting piano playing, with a message of accepting who we are and others around us.
All In Your Head is an enchanting ballad and is a song that tackles situations in life where think that everything is against you and in fact it’s “all in your head” and you should seize the moment and believe in yourself more.
The Skipping Girl showcases another side to Nic’s creativity, which has resulted in a phenomenal and rich album.
‘Skipping Girl’ will be released in English and Italian (‘Uno Giorno Una Ragazza’) editions, and physical formats are available to pre-order here. Formats include a combined book/vinyl edition, while the standalone book features a QR code which directs readers to download/streaming links for the album.
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