Nao: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

March 18, 2019 | Sidney Madden -- In astrology, your Saturn return is the time in life when Saturn goes back to the same spot it was at the time of your birth. As Nao explained during her appearance at NPR's Tiny Desk, "It's about leaving adolescence and going into adulthood." This crossing of the threshold that happens around your late 20s to early 30s is the inspiration for Saturn, Nao's sophomore effort and one of 2018's best albums. When the U.K. singer-songwriter brought her band and cosmic energy to the Tiny Desk — sneaking in her 2015 breakthrough track, "Bad Blood," alongside Saturn standouts — the strength and conviction of her performance had fans in the office strapped in for the emotional ride.

While Nao usually performs with synthy, electronic twinkles, her day at the Tiny Desk was stripped down by comparison. At times, her lyrics ring out with just a sparse guitar to carry them. Like a roller coaster of unexpected upheaval, Nao's distinctive vocal range on this four-song set goes from bellowing and husky to soft and coy, often within the same verse. Be it the breezy, Brazilian funk of "If You Ever," the hallowed harmony of "Orbit" (complete with prayer hands) or the valiant soul-searching of "Make It Out Alive," it's almost as if Nao duets with herself, answering her own questions, settling into her own quirks.

Saturn return can be marked with new responsibilities, confusion and poison-thorned serendipity. But by creating astral, intentional music through her growing pains, Nao ended up grounding herself.

Set List
"If You Ever"
"Bad Blood"
"Orbit"
"Make It Out Alive"

Musicians
Nao: lead vocal; Ariel O'Neal: guitar; Joe Price: keys; Henry Guy: bass; Samson Jatto: drums; Troi Lauren: vocals; Taylor Samuels: vocals

Credits
Producers: Sidney Madden, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Suraya Mohamed, Patrick Boyd, Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Kimani Oletu, Beck Harlan; Associate Producer: Bobby Carter; Production Assistant: Adelaide Sandstrom; Photo: Amr Alfiky/NPR

[GorgonDrageil]

She hit notes lower than the recession, then soared back up into the sweetness of her casual range... amazing.

[amanichabikuli]

the MOST underrated RnB artist in the past 5 years

[geocyo]

Sis w/ the blue hair's lows are out of this world! wow.

[JessykaBanks_]

The “I worship you like holy days” into “drinking lime and bitter from my lemonade” lives in my head rent free..

[jaredgreathouse]

NAO needs to re-record Saturn. Strip it all down to a small band like this, a few background singers, a piano, guitar and drums. It would be AWESOME

[vuyolwethu_m]

Y'all hear how the background vocals complement her??? Especially that bass singer.

[dzpatnmiami]

Naaah, but do y’all hear Big Sis on those BASS background vocals tho?!?! Yalll, she is is creepin thru the BASEMENT!! 😍😍😍

[gaellemuderi]

THE RANGE, HONEY, THE RANGE of all the vocalists involved is just mindblowing

[brittneyjones]

I played this album on repeat when my dad passed in 2019 and I could not find a reason as to why I connected so much with this album. It’s just now that I am really listening to the reason for the name of the album and that was truly a transitional time in my life I went from having my dad just a phone call away to never being able to talk to him again and I had to make some decisions about my life and what I was doing with it. Nao, I thank you for this album from the bottom of my heart.

[kathytran]

It’s so sadly beautiful when you can see in the eyes of the artist that they’re thinking of that one person they wrote that song for.

[nicholaspalacio]

Man, those background singers are KILLING it. Nothing better than some soulful background singers. This is such a tight performance. The guitar player adds such a vibe, too.

[thefreequency]

What she has is BEYOND range, she's the whole choir ok It's like 16 voices in one Incredible talent

[myowntrax]

Okay, but who heard that low register on her back up singer @ 2:35 ... I had to stop what I was doing and rewind!

[alexmatthews]

The background singers!! Babygirl with that bass in her voice.

[aaronjohnson]

We need another Nao Tiny Desk with the same crew.

[Spaccaspecchi]

The guitarist looks like an Egyptian queen. Damn, what a beautiful person.

[RedOfficial]

omg can we just talk about the backing singer! sang

[kokoalaska]

NPR, don't stop what your doing. Ya'll continue to put forth REAL musicians that I would have never got exposure to on the radio. LOVE IT!!!🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿💋

[chillax]

Imagine hearing this voice in a world without auto tune. So fire, so underrated

[queenc]

I did not know she sounded like this in real life. I've 🐝 listening to her music for years. Never live. I thought it was the production or autobtune. I still love her music but now that I know this is all her omg I'm in love