‘Can You Bend It Like…’ is touching for its shoestring construction and endearing lyricism.

‘Can You Bend It Like…’ is the charming debut single from Nastazia Bazil. It is hardly worth calling it charming, because anyone who has seen Bazil perform knows that of course it would be. Her music should be familiar to regulars at the Windmill, where she has been playing frequently since around this time last year. It is defined by a gleeful idiosyncratic intimacy comparable to steadfastly DIY artists like Clémentine March, Stanley Brinks, and Freschard.

This new single is a timely release, celebrating Bazil’s experiences playing and watching women’s football as the World Cup reaches its climax in Australia. The title refers to her current team, ‘Bend it Like Peckham’, and the lyrics meander from personal memories to shoutouts for current heroes of the Lionesses: Chloe Kelly, Alex Greenwood, Millie Bright. Then, with characteristic humour, the song goes into a whispered section as Bazil shifts into direct address, flirtatiously candid: “Hello lady, the way you tackle the ball… is perfect.” The piece continues in this vein, rating different attributes of the addressed footballer.

Unadorned by extravagant overdubs or even contributions from Bazil’s outstandingly named backing band, The Bon Bon Bon, the combination of vocal, piano and drum machine holds together with shoestrings. This unassuming fragility brings out the soul of the song, which speaks for the project as a whole in its freedom from posturing and predictability. We need more artists like Bazil, and if her live shows are anything to go by, we can expect more from where this touching debut came from.