Has it really been two years since we last reviewed Nadia Sheik’s music? Time sure flies like mad these days! It really does feel like yesterday when I was typing my 5 star review for “The Shadows”. Since then Nadia has been doing very well for herself: she toured Europe, sold out many shows in the UK, released critically acclaimed songs and even participated in a very unique all female show at the Paestum UNESCO World Heritage Site! With performances at Glastonbury, Isle Of Wight, Kendal Calling, Y Not, FIB (Benicassim) festivals, multiple plays from national and international radio stations (from Hawaii to Poland!), Nadia is one of the most accomplished independent artists that call UK their home.
Single cover
Official bio: Independent artist Nadia Sheikh is thrilled to announce the release of her latest single, “How To Lose A Friend”, available on all major streaming platforms from Friday 28 th February, 2025. This marks Nadia’s first new music of 2025, showcasing a significant evolution in her sound and artistic vision.”How To Lose A Friend” is an energetic pop rock offering, full of dynamic shifts, catchy melodies and a touch of nostalgia infused sounds that remind us of early 2000’s pop rock. The track delves into a friendship gone wrong after one side develops feelings that aren’t met.
I’m incredibly proud and privileged to review her newest single, “How to Lose A Friend”. The song was released at the end of February, but we decided to cover it today as March is women’s heritage month and also we celebrate International Women’s Day on the 14th.
How to describe what Nadia does? I have seen her style being described as folk rock and roll, power pop, ballad infused alternative rock. I very rarely agree with all such polarizing statements but in this case, all of those opinions can be accepted as true. The reason being Nadia is an incredibly versatile and accomplished composer, able to write in different styles and comfortably merging different musical genres.
Modern artists very rarely stick to one single genre. It’s not unusual to hear tracks that mix 6 or even 7 styles from r&b to grind core, this is especially noticeable in the new nu-metal. If you look at artists like Poppy or Bambie Thug, you will clearly see they are bending and merging extreme styles to create sounds that can give boomers or older gen X an apoplexy attack. Nadia Sheik does pretty much the same, but using more user-friendly material. So whatever the reviewers say, whichever box they try to squeeze her into, she fits it perfectly. And this is one of her greatest advantages.
“How to Lose A Friend” is an enchanting, absolutely fabulous track that should open a lot of doors for her at the European radio stations. I already have seen it being played in France, UK, Germany, Finland and Poland (and AntyRadio, one of the most popular alt rock stations that have a massive following among the general populace). It’s super radio friendly, energetic, an ear worm that will live in your head for weeks.
Nadia photographed by Pablo Pelufo
What I really love about it, it is unapologetically pop. It combines elements of power pop, rock, alternative rock, indie, college rock and even adult contemporary, with a crisp, very modern production that will appeal to teens and older listeners. Not sure why so many artists are afraid to take this middle of the road approach, maybe they are afraid that trying to appeal to everyone will make them look bland and unoriginal? Maybe they are happy just sticking to what they know and that their audiences like? I’m glad to see Nadia experimenting, evolving and broadening her musical reach. Being pop (in the best sense of the word) is not a bad thing and pop rock, of this quality, will always be greatly appreciated.
I need to write a few words about Nadia’s voice. I have always thought her one of the best pop rock vocalists on the indie circuit, but she truly shines on “How To Lose A Friend”. Her vocals are clear, powerful where they need to be, soft in more delicate parts of the track and just beautiful throughout. The way she conveys different emotions is magical. She can be sweet, spirited, sad, angry, disappointed – all in just 3 minutes. Her range increased as well, she sings in higher registers than before and she really sounds good.
I’d love to hear an extended version of the song. I know 3 minutes is now industry standard for a single, but damn, this is such an excellent track, I’d really love to hear more guitars, extended bridges and maybe a bit of an intro/outro to give it a bigger rock and roll feel. And I would love to hear it being sung in Nadia’s native language. This would probably never happen but don’t stop me from dreaming.
How To Lose A Friend was produced by Johnny Madden, Nadia, and her long-standing collaborators and band members Rowan Davies and George Gardiner. The mix and master came from George Perks (Enter Shikari, Gavin James , You Me At Six). It comes with a very quirky video showing Nadia walking the busy streets with a microphone and singing while people pass her by. At the moment of writing this review, this very simple video scored more than 7000 views on YouTube.
Dealing with themes of loneliness, disappointment and breakdown of long term friendship, “How To Lose A Friend” is a song that will speak to a lot of people. And I hope this is a track that finally allows her to break through to the mainstream. She has outgrown the independent market a long time ago. Now, She deserves an Europe wide recognition.
Fingers crossed it is happening now, or at least very soon.
Follow Nadia on social media:
https://www.nadiasheikh.com/home
https://www.instagram.com/nadiasheikhmusic/
https://www.facebook.com/nadiasheikhmusic
https://twitter.com/NadiaSheikh_
https://www.youtube.com/nadiasheikhmusic
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1REWoOzJNHGCPDYsSBBghV?si=kp6zcjgIQJuvGxMSwQsh0A&nd=1
https://www.tiktok.com/@nadiasheikhmusic
https://soundcloud.com/nadiasheikhmusic
Rita Dabrowicz
Indieterria 