SMUT.- Water Nymph (Single Review) International Woman's Day #2

Words by Craig Carrington-Porter

Continuing with our highlight of female artists in the British music our second review of the week is Edinburgh based and self produced solo artist SMUT. (the full stop is in the name.)

SMUT. is creating music that has a sampled, electronic and almost hip-hop vibe. Originally her live performances began with vocals and guitar but the ensemble has stretched out to include prerecorded tracks.

The new single, 'Water Nymph' essentially is an alternative R&B track. The main melody is rung out through a repeating piano part that alternates in the chorus. It is supported with drum loops and electronic hand clapping. Tying it all together is the intertwined vocal tracks.

SMUT.’s voice is raw and emotional. The lyrics and timbre depict the meaning behind the song. Speaking to Hastings briefly, she spoke about how the song explores power dynamics and obsession. With that, for her, the track is about a feminine boy who became a muse for her. He allowed her to explore the themes of dominance, submission and fantasy.

'Water Nymph' is different and I really like it. Its simple in its composure but anything else would be a waste of space for movement. When you listen to the track the only melodic devices are the piano and the vocals. Everything else is just to drive the beat along. That opening melody, three vocals singing an almost diatonic (could be two vocals with the backing echoed) scale creates the selling point for the song. 'Water Nymph' is a different composure, saturated to still have that raw and DIY put-togetherness about it but still has strength in its theme and writing.

Relating it to other artists, production wise with how it has been recorded and put together, the track sounds close to Cat Soup and The Internet. Vocally, I’d put SMUT. close with Lorde and slight shades of Ariana Grande. In her own words SMUT. Had this to add;

“the production is heavily inspired by two producers: Landfill from the collective anti-world and drip-133 from the collective SESH. I wanted the beat to combine the heavy grittiness of Landfill with the melodic softness of drip-133.”

In the past SMUT. has played Opium and has supported North Atlas.