Review
Step into the hypnotic dreamscape of Nico’s debut solo album, "Chelsea Girl," where the enchanting tones of late 1960s chamber folk and baroque pop play seamlessly alongside her haunting vocals. Named after Andy Warhol’s intriguing film "Chelsea Girls," the album offers a melodious nod to Nico’s acting days. Following her remarkable time with the Velvet Underground on their iconic debut album, "The Velvet Underground & Nico," Nico enchants the listener with her captivating voice, timelessly preserved in tracks penned by legends like Jackson Browne and Bob Dylan, with the latter's "I'll Keep It with Mine" casting a spell of timeless wonder.
With the instrumental magic of Velvet Underground's Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison, and John Cale interwoven into its core, "Chelsea Girl" emerges as a treasure trove of rich orchestral arrangements, courtesy of Tom Wilson, mingling effortlessly with Nico's somber, yet evocative, vocal power. Moments of melancholic splendor, like "These Days" and the tribute track "Eulogy to Lenny Bruce," glide through the album, painterly thick with both poignancy and grace. It's an enchanting journey whereby Nico escorts listeners through an ether-bound world, sculpting an eerily ethereal masterpiece that pulsates with enduring allure. - Opal
