Coming to this album just a few days after the Miley Cyrus VMA crotch-gate, the newly independent and happily crowd-funded Kate Nash is a welcome breath of fresh air. Nash has self-released her latest effort after leaving her label behind, citing artistic differences.

From the moment Girl Talk’s opener ‘Part Heart’ kicks into gear with overdriven punk guitars and muted lo-fi drums, it’s clear that Nash is up to something a little different.

While her previous hit-spawning albums adhered to an indie pop sound, her third album offers 15 tracks of Riot Grrrl-influenced punk rock and garage rock.

Nash’s bass playing drives many of the tracks on the album, with a primordial fuzzy stomp that brings to mind a mix of Hole and The Stooges.

This works particularly well in ‘Death Proof’, with verses taken straight from the punk/grunge playbook and a chorus that would make the Shangri-Las proud.

While one or two tracks fall flat (‘Rap For Rejection’ features actual “rapping”), overall the album is powerful, loud and a lot of fun. There are some curveballs too, like the orchestral ballad closer, ‘Lullaby For An Insomniac’.

A few of Nash’s trademarks are still present – the slightly disaffected vocals, the stylistic experimentation and her girl power-appealing lyrics – but the new, rougher approach makes much of Girl Talk a pleasant surprise.

Love Classic Rock?

Get the latest Classic Rock news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine