lipstick-kissed letters from Camille Schmidt

once described as painting portraits, I have to say I wholeheartedly agree - Nude #9 by brooklyn-based-queer-phenomenon Camille Schmidt will have songs that absolutely end up on a playlist of yours. She may already! Sitting with accolades and having already been featured on Spotify’s Lorem. (admittedly, I frequent it a good bit. It’s such a well-curated mix. This is proof.)

XOXO sits with me as the catalyst for my allegories of lipstick-kissed letters. it’s a phenomenal sign-off to former lovers. Firstly, You’re telling me you’re speeding in your Kia Sportage? Girl, I love you, I love that. Kia solidarity, before I forget. It’s less gut-wrenching, but not to say this is an un-relatable record by any means - quite the opposite. It’s so insanely catchy. It’s driving me nuts in the best possible way.

Nic is so heartful and gut-wrenching in this truly sickening way. That’s for the folks who get it. I unfortunately do! Cult in Denver is so conceptially stunning. “How could anyone be like you are to me?” into lines so personal and relatable to those with OCD or compulsory behaviors, and manic episodes. It reminds me of my own, but in not in the negative light I normally put them in. She makes them a little bit easier for me to talk about.

Daddy Long Legs? Sister song to The Tortured Poets Department in a few ways. I can’t say anything further to encourage you to listen to that. I need you to experience Daddy Long Legs with that in mind.

I’ve been sitting with this record, and understanding how it’s helped shaped Schmidt and understanding it - as I was told, “I spent so much of my life not being honest with myself or other people,” In regards to the writing process for this record. She states that - “I thought, what if I stop trying to get good with myself? With anyone else? What if I just reflect the truth of what I’ve seen? What if I just say what happened?” And in so many ways, Camille has managed to make that writing process masterful for Nude #9. It’s so deeply personal, and I find myself wishing that more of us were this open - it feels like it would be so easy to speak about anything with Schmidt after this listen. Like, a good talk over lunch and mock/cocktails.

Quite frankly, this is, and stands to be one of the indie-breakout albums of the year. I adore it, and I hope you do too - I really think you will.

(xoxo, feel better soon,

caity)