Denim & Diamonds

by Nikki Lane

Overview

From the moment Denim & Diamonds kicks off with the fuzz-tone swagger of "First High," it's clear that something is different this time around for Nikki Lane: her Americana has grown tougher and heavier, swinging to a big backbeat. The difference can be chalked up to Lane's choice to hire Josh Homme as producer. He, in turn, brought in a number of his Queens of the Stone Age bandmates to give Denim & Diamonds a genuine earthy kick not only on the rockers -- of which there are quite a few -- but also on such searching ballads as "Good Enough." There, Lane wonders if she'll be good enough for a lover, one of the many moments of doubt and self-recrimination that float through Denim & Diamonds, questioning that reflects how she considered leaving music behind after the release of Highway Queen in 2017. If the songs were born in uncertainty, as a record Denim & Diamonds comes from a place of confidence. Some of that is due to the QOTSA crew lending muscle and texture to the tunes, but this is also unquestionably Lane's album; her emotions are laid bare, and she pulls the listener into her feelings through her powerful, yearning voice. The combination of open heart and open road -- there's no other place the stomping "Black Widow" would sound better -- makes Denim & Diamonds a remarkable record. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	11/15/2024
Label:	Imports
UPC:	0607396564613

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Nikki Lane   Primary Artist,Vocals
Alain Moschulski   Guitar (Electric),Piano,Guitar (Acoustic)
Michael Shuman   Bass
Dean Fertita   Organ
Joshua Homme   Drums,Piano,Keyboards,Mellotron,Percussion,Guitar (Bass),Guitar (Electric)
Pearl Charles   Handclapping
Erika Orbison   Vocals (Background)
Robert Adam Stevenson   Vocals (Background)
Daphne Chen   Violin
Leah Katz   Viola,Violin
Matt Pynn   Mandolin,Pedal Steel,Guitar (Electric)
Carla Azar   Drums
Jenny Lewis   Handclapping

Technical Credits

Dan Winters   Cover Photo
Ricardo Alessio   Package Design
Joshua Homme   Mixing,Composer,Engineer,Producer
Nikki Lane   Composer
Joey Martinez   Cover Collage,Insert Photography
Gabe Simon   Composer
Robert Adam Stevenson   Mixing,Engineer,Mastering
Alain Moschulski   Composer