Nappy Kitchen is a term used to describe the coiled hair that beads up at the nape of the neck. This hair is notoriously unruly and garners a reputation for being impossible to tame. Many people shave their Nappy Kitchens off or attempt to straighten them with chemicals, but no effort to control these coils yields long term success. Resistance is futile. In the spirit of serenity, people have resolved to embracing a Nappy Kitchen, only to discover that this was the best option all along. Nappy Kitchen, the album, is a narrative that begins with an instructional message, leads to some thoughts to consider, and resolves with a call to action. The songs, when in context, give insight into a process that involves loving oneself and rejecting forces that aim to enslave and destroy the human spirit. Though Nappy Kitchen is BLUE's official debut release, it is the second in a series. The first of the series is New Growth: The Prelude, which is a physical release sold at concerts, on the road, and in selected stores. New Growth: The Prelude (released in June 2010) is a "folktronic" album consisting of short songs and poetry. An introduction to reality, this composition aims to describe a process of new growth we all must go through in order to achieve true freedom. The term "new growth" refers, in part, to the un-processed hair that is visible from the scalp after a perm has grown out. This hair usually grows more coarse and tangled than the original grade of hair and often compels an individual to immediately "freshen" a perm (that is, get a touch-up). If one decides to allow for a perm to grow completely out, the process can be extremely uncomfortable. Many shave their heads to avoid the "ugly stage" when the permed hair and new growth exist simultaneously, creating a giant, matted fro with straight ends (I know, right....yuck). The messages (hidden and literal) within these compositions describe this process in detail, offering advice on how to cope through the ugly stage without going completely crazy. Some have no idea what it means to be unnatural. Some are the prodigal sons and daughters of nature. Some have never experienced their natural selves. New Growth: The Prelude is taken with varying levels of difficulty, depending on the individuals and their stages in the growing process. Ultimately, it lays the foundation and context for the next album in the series: Nappy Kitchen, released in June 2011. BLUE uses edgy lyricism, raw vocals, keen musicianship, and "satire noir" to tell stories that are familiar to everyone. The music is groovy, but the lyrics cannot be ignored. BLUE follows the tradition of artists like The Beatles, Tracy Chapman, and Bob Dylan who emphasize clever lyricism, poetry, and storytelling over commercial appeal in order to create art that compels people to dream. As a student of music, classically trained and steeped in theory, BLUE's compositions are musically sophisticated. Her use of vocal harmony and instrumentation compliment her writing and create a cohesive, conceptual experience.