Nell Mescal - The Closest We’ll Get

Nell Mescal has a knack for uncovering the beauty in universal experiences, from the not-quite-a-relationship that inspired songs like ‘Teeth’ to the friendship fallout that shaped her debut EP, ‘Can I Miss It For a Minute?’. Now, on ‘The Closest We’ll Get’, she tells the story of two people who are not quite lovers - but are also not quite friends.


‘Carried Away’ is a prime example of Nell’s confessional songwriting, and listening to it feels like eavesdropping on a diary page. Philip Weinrobe’s (Big Thief, Billie Marten) production is rich and elegant, wrapping Nell’s vocals in warm tones and a dreamy string arrangement that ebbs and flows.


Elsewhere, ‘Lose You Altogether’ is a tentative expression of potentially unrequited love, with budding dreams of marriage and children set in contrast with the likely possibility of having to stay just friends. But while ‘Lose You Altogether’ retains a shred of hope, ‘Middle Man’ is the final nail in the coffin for the relationship. “I don’t really like you,” she sings, accompanied by a cavernous piano. Its no-frills production places her voice front and centre, but walks a thin line between intimacy and understatement. On ‘See You Again’, she dips a toe into new territory, flirting with lounge influences. The swanky guitar in the verses adds a playful twist, suggesting a subtle expansion of her sonic palette.


Here, Nell Mescal leans confidently into what she does best: sharp, resonant lyrics and a voice that cuts straight through. The richer, more textured production adds depth without overshadowing her, even if the melodies don’t always reach the heights of her strongest work. Still, it’s a beautiful EP that proves she’s more than ready for whatever her next step may be.