NINA x Ricky Wilde - Scala Hearts
Written by Vero Faye Kitsuné
Berlin-based artist NINA, also known as the Queen of Synthwave, and legendary British producer, songwriter and long-time music industry veteran Ricky Wilde (pop icon Kim Wilde's younger brother) release their highly-anticipated collaborative record, Scala Hearts via NewRetroWave. At the heart of their record are synth and electronic nostalgia - but on steroids - thanks to one foundational element we do not often see grace the synth scene: Ricky's extensive and genuine, first-hand experience through the years as producer and as one of the "O.G.s" who helped shape the sounds of eras that inspire today's modern music. Scala Hearts plays like a delightful, authentic sampler of several different periods in synth and electronic music updated for the 21st century. We also see different sides of Nina emerge through her performances - sharper, edgier, more fierce, and a huge contrast to her softer and more delicate earlier releases.
The record smashes right in with a rocked-out and hyper-dynamic cover of Dollar's Videotheque that efficiently combines new wave and disco with classic 80s epic rock, relished with arpeggiated and boldy robotic vocals by Nina - a fun, unexpected surprise countering the tantric saw-edged bass grooves and Ricky's sublime lead guitars.
Videotheque is quite the proper, "cool" retro-futurist track that nicely sets up the dreamy and painterly ambience of Causeway, which steadily charges at first in shoegaze bass arps before deviating into ebbs and flows in eclectic arrangements and performances reminiscent of Peter Gabriel and Genesis. The song carries several beautiful variants and layers in its production, constantly pushing and pulling with different surprises - including wistful pan flutes, fluttering top arps, and a beautiful yet brief operatic section followed by thunderous, dramatic drums.
The laid-back and palm tree-lined LA Dreamers was the first single that laid out initial expectations for the record with Ricky's catchy and infectious "Woah-ohh" vocal hooks that could easily get stuck on repeat in one's head for days. But Fade Me Out is probably the record's piéce de résistance with Nina's most emotive vocal performance yet, immersed in huge percussions, creative vocal ad libs by Ricky that spiral all around right before crescendoing into giant synth leads and stacked choral grandeur reminiscent of QUEEN.
Living In Sin delivers Ricky's gritty early 90s epic rock performance that brings Bryan Adams to mind, teetering along the edge of sorrow and regret. The track is strung with fluxes of tasty orchestral sections which Nina artfully punctures with cold and steely interjections. It is followed by Nina's earlier single co-produced with Radio Wolf, Gold Hearts, but this time more upbeat, optimistic and glimmering in hope in its reprise.
Nina poignantly reflects on growth, strength and gaining freedom in Night and Day which cascades in crystalline, orbital soundscapes and perfectly sets up the stage for the record's summit: the very heroic Fighter. Monumental, majestic and anthemic, Nina spreads her proverbial wings (and vocal chords) and takes flight in a giant leap of faith in Fighter - a track imbued with a new kind of courageous spirit in Nina that easily sends shivers down the spine with the multi-layered choir production and Ricky's guitar work that all seem to ascend into the cosmos.
The record closes with an homage to Ricky's sister, Kim, with a perfectly italo-infused cover of Lovers On A Beach, carrying splashes of artsy motor-like guitar growls, Moroder-esque spectral sound designs and Nina's signature pristine yet effortless vocal performance.
Scala Hearts not only lives up to expectations, but shatters through them. But most importantly, the record opens a fresh new dialogue, new routes and avenues for nostalgia music genres griping with insularity. Nina and Ricky exemplify the power and relevance of unique perspective, bold and artful experimentation, distinctive charm and thoughtful, clever production in each and every single track in Scala Hearts, while still satisfying all the boxes that retrophiliacs may demand. Scala Hearts is a much-needed jewel that offers new facets and clues to possible new directions for nostalgia and retrowave that need to be further explored. It takes bravery to be this bold and do something different and new. At the same time, only true legends do.
Scala Hearts easily gets a slot as one of - if not the - best records of 2023.
Listen to Scala Hearts here: https://ninanrickywilde.lnk.to/ScalaHearts
Check out the Absynth Video Podcast Interview with NINA and Ricky Wilde, with guest host Chi Ming Lai of ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK and Lee Bennett
