Such - Wide Nose, Full Lips (2019)

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    Such - Wide Nose, Full Lips

    Such’s debut album, Trial and Error, proved that the singer-songwriter was more than just a pretty face. On the confessional title track on her soon to be released sophomore album Wide Nose, Full Lips, Such tells the world that there was a time when she did not believe that she was a pretty face. The singer grew up in a society that devalued her “African” features. Consequently, like so many black women (and men too) Such devalued herself. “There was a time in which I struggled with loving myself,” Such says in the spoken word piece. “I didn’t think I deserved anything. I didn’t think I was beautiful.”

    Such - Wide Nose, Full Lips

    Such’s debut album, Trial and Error, proved that the singer-songwriter was more than just a pretty face. On the confessional title track on her soon to be released sophomore album Wide Nose, Full Lips, Such tells the world that there was a time when she did not believe that she was a pretty face. The singer grew up in a society that devalued her “African” features. Consequently, like so many black women (and men too) Such devalued herself. “There was a time in which I struggled with loving myself,” Such says in the spoken word piece. “I didn’t think I deserved anything. I didn’t think I was beautiful.”

    Ultimately, the former health care professional (Such is the stage name of Sue Charles, who once worked as a nurse before moving to a full time musical career) had to heal herself, and the song “Wide Nose, Full Lips” is the story of how she came to accept and love herself on physical, spiritual and intellectual levels.

    So, Wide Nose, Full Lips is a concept album that reveals how that love is projected and manifested in other aspects of Such’s life. The songs on Wide Nose, Full Lips express a love of life (“Mood”), a mother’s powerful expression of love for her son (“For a Reason”), of her culture, her people, her people and her skin (“Melanin”) and of her worthiness to give and receive romantic love.

    We’ll examine that final aspect of Such’s life of love because it is the one that she expounds on most, and because those five tunes are the strongest tracks on Wide Nose, Full Lips. “Before Dark,” the lead single from Wide Nose, Full Lips, is the type of love ballad that reveals the passion of one person giving herself totally to another in a manner of complete openness and trust. It is the completeness of the surrender described in the tune’s lyrics that gives “Before Dark” it’s sensual punch.

    “The Real Thing” is a 180 turn from “Before Dark” both in arrangement and attitude, as this is EDM styled anthem for women who know what they want and are willing to express those desires is an attention grabber. The driving bass line and percussion, along with the space age synthesizers, provide a sense of urgency that serves as a contrast to Such’s vocal that is conversational, giving life to the feeling of expectation that is expressed in the song’s lyrics.  

    The neo-soul ballad “Don’t Matter” tells the story of two people standing strong together in the face of a world that expects failure. “I’m on Bonnie To Your Clyde/Because we’re ride or die,” she sings.

    The album Wide Nose, Full Lips finds Such taking listeners on a journey to self-discovery and love. The album also represents an artistic journey in which Such continues her growth and development as songwriter and vocalist. Recommended.

    By Howard Dukes