In Caity Baser‘s caffeinated and vibrant pop world, each feeling is lit up in neon: from the breathlessness of a longed-for romance that’s on the cusp of fruition, to the intense lows of just-been-dumped bitterness. She has a solution to all the pieces; embracing her personal mess is her rocket gas. Baser may even make the squirmish feeling of pining for a crush sound like a breeze: “I wanna make the primary transfer, however can I depart that as much as you?”, she sings on ‘Kiss You’, earlier than letting out a scream, implying that her infatuation is dizzying sufficient to defy phrases.
The Southampton-raised singer’s music is an invite to share all the pieces that she feels, an ethos that has established Baser as a crusader for chaos in British pop. At 20, Baser has been working in direction of her debut EP, ‘Thanks For Nothing, See You By no means’ for 2 years as her on-line recognition has advanced, and her sights are set larger nonetheless. Given TikTok’s ubiquity, we’ve seen just about each attainable final result of how the app can beget success for brand spanking new artists, from sending drum ‘n’ bass upstart Venbee to the Prime 3 of the UK Charts to touchdown Cassyette a help slot for My Chemical Romance. Baser’s profile, nonetheless, has grown wilder than most: she introduced within the largest crowd on the BBC Introducing stage eventually 12 months’s Studying competition, proving her virality has began to translate into mainstream stardom.
On ‘Thanks For Nothing…’, Baser positions herself as a real persona with wit and vitality to spare. ‘Fairly Boys’ rips into her unhealthy, repeated behavior of falling for guys “with nothing else to present”. The observe’s tumbling breakdown brings in layered harmonies, providing views of Baser’s failed romantic pursuits from gossipers, in addition to by way of her personal self-deprecating gaze. The half admission, half brag of ‘X&Y’ later takes a deadbeat ex to job over breakbeat parts and a whistling melody.
Baser excels when she paints these vigorous self portraits, which regularly double down on her droll humour and conversational supply. Nevertheless, the EP’s manufacturing doesn’t fairly match her gleaming persona. It’s definitely not simple to jot down songs which are as catchy as they’re verbose, however the usage of brilliant and repetitive beats makes for a bubbly, if considerably vague, backdrop.
Whereas ‘Thanks For Nothing…’ is Baser at her most impish and spectacularly carefree, the EP additionally affords perception into her personal rising pains. ‘Really feel Extra Okay’ addresses temper swings over delicate keys, whereas ‘2020s’ affords a tour by way of her “claustrophobic” day-to-day worries. On the latter, Baser reels off insecurities borne from post-graduate life and a depleting social battery, punctuating her move with a resigned sigh: “It’s robust, innit.” Her digs at impersonal cultural establishments – “Fuck the system,” she sings – nonetheless, expose the truth that she’s not all the time positive precisely what she’s attempting to say. Her actions – together with making excursions inexpensive for all followers – converse louder and with extra affect.
But as she throws herself into debut album mode, there’s loads of time for Baser to hone her voice as an artist. It’s onerous to not root for a songwriter that appears able to tackle all the pieces younger maturity has to supply in her personal distinctive and maximalist approach.
Particulars
- Launch date: February 17
- Report label: EMI