Review: "Nowhere Fast" Single by Phil NDL
Phil NDL. A fellow friend and producer of Dominic Fike. What a guy. I’ve been fortunate enough to speak with him personally.
He’s a great dude. Honest and cool.
But aside from his personnel, his music speaks for itself. On November 13th, Phil released his newest single, “Nowhere Fast”.
An instant jam. For me, it took me back to my youth. The idea of sunshine, friends, and freedom.
It’s that time you and your friends get dropped off at the mall. Just you and your friends. You give a middle-school-angst-induced-attitude goodbye wave to your mom. You plant your feet sturdy on the pavement the mall parking lot, and you’re on your way to freedom.
You gather your troops and head to the store which holds your coolness, highness, and self-worth: Hollister. And with all due respect, for a girl from the Maryland, Hollister was the coolest store there ever could be, ever.
Why? Because Hollister captured the idea of juvenile freedom. It did! You could see the store from ions away! AND you could smell it! Hollister stood for freedom. The kick off your shoes and run through the sand type of freedom! Forget your problems and live in the present and have fun!
That’s where this song takes me personally.
And though I’ve only been to the store, and not the physical location. I imagine that the store is exactly what it’s like in Hollister, California.
I can’t put my finger on what it is about this song, that takes me back. But if I had to guess I think it comes down to two distinguished features: the funk of the electric guitar, paired with the subtle and naturally fun riff, topped with Phil’s swangy tonality.
It’s the slurred notes into the next. It’s how the back-beat hits perfectly in between the lyrics.
Phil NDL has a particular and peculiar cadence of beats. Similarly, to Jon Bellion. The same way that Bellion curates his songs to fit perfectly snug between beat pockets. Phil NDL has that same gift; the ability to create movement throughout this song.
It’s nice.
Phil NDL, I am forever grateful that I get to review your work. What a fantastic way to grow both of our careers, and I’m excited I get to be a part of your journey.