album

What It Takes to be a Man

Nora Petran
August 23, 2019
DAR026

Nora Petran’s striking debut album ‘What It Takes to be a Man’ is a delicate collection of songs burning with intensity. Despite being comprised of simple vocal, guitar, and viola arrangements, the music has a gravity all its own.

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Nora Petran’s striking debut album ‘What It Takes to be a Man’ is a delicate collection of songs burning with intensity. Despite being comprised of simple vocal, guitar, and viola arrangements, the music has a gravity all its own. She weaves her sounds into a vivid dreamscape reminiscent of Joanna Newsom, Jessica Pratt, and early Bright Eyes.

As one might expect from the title, Nora contemplates the societal impact of toxic masculinity and examines the roots of its entangled issues. She probes this inequity with memorable phrases like: “You want me to validate your pride / But you won’t acknowledge mine”, “Dreaming up a world where I could die and get away with it”, and, perhaps most notably, “No such thing as a good man.” Her lyrics are sharp and honest, unblinking.

Nora grew up in Iowa City, Iowa, recorded her album in Chicago, Illinois, and now lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. With such a deep connection to the midwest, it’s no surprise that a dark, empty feeling lurks behind much of her music. You can almost feel the harsh midwestern winters thawing with the warmth of her vocal delivery and lyrical clarity, lending hope in the midst of bleakness.

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Tracklist
1
How Can I Pretend?
How Can I Pretend?
02:19
2
What It Takes to be a Man
What It Takes to be a Man
03:24
3
Over and Over
Over and Over
03:43
4
Giving in to Time
Giving in to Time
04:00
5
Saliva
Saliva
04:09
6
No, I Don’t Love You
No, I Don’t Love You
02:48
7
Natural Resource
Natural Resource
04:06
8
An Invitation
An Invitation
01:40
9
Dream Again
Dream Again
03:44
10
Good Company
Good Company
03:55
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From the album
Nora Petran
Credits

Lead vocals and guitar written and performed by: Nora Petran
Harmonies written and performed by: Sue Reon Kim and Audrey Steiner-Malumphy
Viola arranged and performed by: Whitney Johnson
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by: Brian Sulpizio
Special and many big thanks to: Rob Sevier
Album cover photographed by: Madeline Interdonado
Album cover edited by: Nick Faidley
Mostly recorded at Jamdek Studios in Chicago, IL

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