Stream Cian Nugent Night Fiction (Stereogum Premiere)
Hearing the slow and steady confidence with which Cian Nugent narrates his intimate ballads, you would imagine he’s been at it for quite some time. That being said, the heartfelt vocals Nugent uses to tie together his blues, folk, and rock influences are something entirely new to his work. The first album on which Nugent has included his own voice, Night Fiction channels a sound that’s both refreshing and nostalgic. While it’s easy to hear the folk and American rock influences in Nugent’s twangy guitars and bass, there’s something romantic about the aching slowness that tracks like “Shadows” and “Nightlife” use to convey emotion.
Still, though the middle of this album wades though a river of tracks built on quiet and depth, Nugent is able to end Night Fiction on the same upbeat note that it started. Channeling classic American jam bands like the Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers Band, tracks like “Lost Your Way” “Year of the Snake” wind through intricate instrumentation that give listeners a glimpse into his freeform fingerpicking background. Listen below.
Check out Nugent on tour:
03/07 Allston, MA @ Great Scott*
03/08 Hudson, NY @ The Half Moon*
03/09 Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool*
03/10 Philadelphia, PA @ Boot & Saddle*
03/11 Washington, DC @ DC9*
03/12 Durham, NC @ The Pinhook*
03/13 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl*
03/16-18 Austin, TX @ SXSW
03/20 Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar*
03/21 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo*
03/22 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom Of The Hill*
03/24 Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios*
03/25 Seattle, WA @ Barboza*
03/26 Vancouver, BC @ Media Club*
03/28 Calgary, AB @ Palomino Smokehouse and Social Club*
03/29 Edmonton, AB @ Brixx Bar & Grill*
03/30 Saskatoon, SK @ Amigo’s Cantina*
04/01 Winnipeg, MB @ The Good Will Social Club*
04/02 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry*
04/03 Chicago, IL @ The Empty Bottle*
04/04 Bloomington, IN @ The Bishop*
04/05 Lakewood, OH @ Mahall’s*
04/07 Toronto, ON @ The Garrison*
04/08 Montreal, QC @ Casa Del Popolo*
* = w/Nap Eyes
