LISTEN: Nadu Shares “What Kind Of Man”

The L.A.-based artist’s new album, 16, due out on March 3rd

January 26, 2023January 26, 2023 Ron Hart 0 Comments California, Japanese Breakfast, King Krule, Los Angeles, Nader, Nadu, Sarah Register, Snail Mail

Surf rock has been a staple of the Los Angeles sound since the dawn of rock ‘n’ roll.

And for the last six years, Bangladeshi-American musician Nader (Nadu) has been keeping the surf vibe alive, beginning with two punky self-released EPs in 2017 and 2020. For his new album, 16, however, Nader expands his sonics considerably to create a menagerie of diverse styles based upon the soundtrack of his youth.

Mastered by Sarah Register (The Shins, Dodos, Big Thief), the new full-length album spans across the spectrum of alternative rock, indie pop, jazz fusion, post-punk and soul with lots of synth, sax, horns and such contemporary influences as Japanese Breakfast, Snail Mail and King Krule.

Ultimately, it’s an album that sees the adult Nader making peace with his teenage self, a hopeless romantic bound by his parents’ strict adherence to their family’s culture who had to keep his love for guitar pop hidden.

And one of the songs that shoots right into the heart of the album’s theme is its second single “What Kind of Man,” which Rock & Roll Globe is honored to premiere today on the site.

“‘What Kind Of Man’ is the last chapter of a flirty back-and-forth relationship – and you’re declaring you are at the end of your rope,” Nader explains. “What do you do when your heart’s desire mocks your every silver lining? ‘What kind of man do you think I am?’ The chorus emphasizes crossed wires and expectations from the other person – a realization that if you have to completely change yourself for someone, you don’t want it.”

Of the song’s style, Nader “wanted a really hard-hitting yet neo soul track, came up with a chorus riff reminiscent of an Audioslave/Rage Against The Machine track and put that together with a horn section, which, with some help from my wife Claire, I composed by singing the parts – & then found a horn player to bring it to life in the song. Nadine (our drummer) conjured the heart stomping beat throughout.”

The result is one of 16’s finest cuts, marked by the considerable amount of musical growth on display from its creator. Watch it below and pre-save the track here.

16 comes out on March 3rd. Pre-order the album on BandCamp.