Flaming Lips Collaborator Nell Smith’s Posthumous Debut Solo Album ‘Anxious’ Announced

The posthumous debut solo album from The Flaming Lips collaborator Nell Smith, Anxious, is set for release via Bella Union on April 11 and previewed with the title track. Smith tragically died in a car accident last October at the age of 17.

Nell Smith worked with The Flaming Lips on the 2021 album, Where The Viaduct Looms, a reimagining of songs by Nick Cave.

“It is still very painful when I realize Nell is gone,” Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne stated. “I keep thinking I’ll check my text messages from her. I’m sure she has a new drawing or new piece of a song or a new photo of her cat… and then I remember she is gone. Now when I’m listening to her singing these songs there is a brief fantastical joy. Her voice hits the ear, the ear tells brain this is the sound of love, the brain lets the mind fly through the billions of connections it has with Nell’s life… but as it flies it also flies to her death… there is something holy that happens now.”

Smith’s Anxious was stewarded by Jack and Lily Wolter of Penelope Isles, “who helped shape Nell’s songs, some of which had been in the works since she was twelve years old,” as per a press release. “The result is an album brimming with emotion, playful melodies and a depth that hints at what Nell’s future may have held.”

Jack and Lily Wolter worked with material captured by Smith during a recording session at Bella Union’s Brighton studio. Three of the songs were collaborations with Canadian band Shred Kelly, writing from Nell’s native Fernie, British Columbia. Anxious sees “Jack and Lily expertly teasing out what was really going on in Smith’s mind with the help of Doritos, Fizzy sweets, Coca Cola and inspiration gained by sneaking her into venues to see local bands play.”

Preview Anxious with the official music video for the title track below:

Nell’s family have also created the The Nell Smith Memorial Fund to “support emerging musicians, nurturing their artistic growth in recognition of the kindness and support that she was lucky enough to receive from the many people she met on her journey.” Head here for info on how to donate and more.

Anxious Tracklist:

1. Anxious
2. Daisy Fields
3. Bubba
4. The Worst Best Drug
5. Service Song
6. Boy in a Bubble
7. Splash
8. I Know Nothing
9. Billions Of People
10. Split In The Sky