Music On My Mind #19: Rico Nasty, Model/Actriz, Black Country, New Road
Keeping It Brief
Ahh, the long weekend has come and gone, and summer is officially here! Starting this week, we have Summer Fridays at work, and I intend to take full advantage of these days when I can – by listening to more music! Seriously though, this summer, I want to get to the beach more, and visit parts of New Jersey I’ve never been to like Asbury Park. I’ve heard from locals that the beach and boardwalk there are both legendary, and as someone who visits the Atlantic City area once a summer, I love a good boardwalk and beach. I’m excited to make this summer an active one!
I’ll be honest again folks: this week was another light listening week. I had wanted to write about the new East vs. West Coast rap beef at the end of this, but when I started diving into the tracks, there was so much for me to catch up on, too many names to keep track of, and too little time to do it all. I may save a more thorough discussion of it for next week, but all I can say right now is this: that track “YHRR” by Daylyt is fire.
Anyways, let’s get into it.
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LETHAL by Rico Nasty
This right here is the third studio album from the Maryland-based rapper and singer, a record that shows her embracing the raw and chaotic sounds of rage rap and melding it with punk and metal. In a way, LETHAL is Rico Nasty’s version of I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU – brash, in-your-face and balls-to-the-wall heavy.
Behind the mic, Rico Nasty is a dynamic performer. Her energy is palpable, but she’s also able to showcase a wide range of vocal styles, from hardcore punk shouting to smooth R&B crooning. The record similar exhibits a wide range; some songs, like “TEETHSUCKER (YEA3x),” are full-on rock bangers, whereas others like “ON THE LOW,” are rage-influenced bubblegum trap tunes. Normally, I would be averse to such sharp stylistic changes, but Rico Nasty pulls them off so effectively that I’m giving it not just a pass, but a double thumbs-up.
Other highlights include “PINK,” another bubblegum trap banger with some incredibly catchy ear candy melodies and hooks; “SON OF A GUN,” with its eery Korn-influenced and Rico positively screaming her brains out; “SMOKE BREAK,” a straight-up hardcore punk tune with one of the heaviest breakdowns I’ve heard all year and Rico showing off her Joan Jett influences; and “SMILE,” a touching tribute Rico wrote to her son with a mellow backing track.
Overall, I’m not sure if it’s one of the most essential albums of the year, but LETHAL is a fun listen through and through. In a time where weirdo rappers seem to be making a bit of a comeback, Rico Nasty continues to fit and evolve the mould.
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Pirouette by Model/Actriz
I had been meaning to check Pirouette out for a while, and once I saw Anthony Fantano had reviewed it while wearing the yellow flannel, I knew I couldn’t miss it. On their second album, dance-punks Model/Actriz create an abrasive, self-indulgent nightmare that is equally alluring and unnerving.
This album feels like the soundtrack to a rave on an alien planet. The world that Pirouette builds is made of mostly chrome and stuck in a perpetual nuclear, yet still thriving on an unceasing nightlife scene. It feels dystopian – not quite an escapist experience to distract us from the 24/7 news cycle, but more like the perfect accompaniment to it. Frontman Cole Haden’s lyrics range from epicurean to introspective, doubling down on the queer themes found on the group’s debut, Dogsbody. He has stated in interviews that this album is a “coming out story,” as opposed to their debut, which dealt with shame and repressed emotions. While I can’t speak to the queer experience of coming out, with all the hedonism in the lyrics, I can absolutely say with certainty that this album is not ashamed to be itself.
My favorite tracks on here include “Vespers,” an absolutely unsettling intro track with some very ethereal singing from Haden; “Cinderella,” a similarly jarring club banger; “Diva,” a slower industrial tune with Haden giving off bad bitch vibes in the lyrics; and “Departures,” a spooky club tune with lyrics that seem to have an element of body horror.
Without a doubt, Pirouette is one of the strongest punk-influenced releases of the year. Model/Actriz have made an anti-Brat rave album, reminding us that sometimes, being at the club isn’t fun.
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Forever Howlong by Black Country, New Road
I had never heard any note of this band’s music until I put on this album, and boy do I wish I had listened to them sooner. Forever Howlong is the third album from British rockers Black Country, New Road, and is the sunny, shimmering ode to the sounds of 1970s progressive rock that I didn’t know I needed.
This record has all the elements that, for me, make for a good prog album: several key changes per song, intricate rhythms, mostly-organic instrumentation and poetic lyrics. It harkens back to a musical era that I wasn’t alive for, yet I still feel nostalgic for with every listen I’ve given this album. You can hear the clear influences from groups like Yes, Genesis and even Camel on multi-phased tracks like “Socks” and “Two Horses.” While listening to it, I picture a verdant English countryside, with the sun poking up above a hill right next to an old stone cottage with smoke coming out of a chimney. It’s a truly idyllic album, and unlike the Model/Actriz release, is the perfect escape from the dreariness of everyday life.
The strongest moments on here include “Salem Sisters,” with its unconventional chord progressions and expertly-layered falsetto harmonies; “Happy Birthday,” which has a bit of a showtune quality; “Nancy Tries to Take the Night,” a cozy, acoustic guitar-based folk tune; the title track, which has a really funny line in it about how the singer believes her blues are being caused by the pH of her gut microbiome; and “Besties,” the album’s soothing, psychedelic intro.
I would be hard-pressed to try and name a current band that is as whimsical as Black Country, New Road. Forever Howlong keeps the whimsy going, but injects a tinge of realism that makes the album a maturity that is refreshing.
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And there we have it! Another week is in the books. Thank you for taking the time to read Music On My Mind. If this is your first time reading, please consider subscribing, giving me a like or a restack, or even pledging. Whatever you do do, I’m most grateful. I’ve included links to the albums reviewed below, as well as a link to my 2025 album listening tracker (68 new, 66 old) HERE for your reference. Remember: keep your ears tuned and your minds open.