NO ONE EVER REALLY DIES
Dormant for seven years since 2010’s *Nothing*, N.E.R.D have been jolted into action by the social and political turbulence around them. Sounding as vital as they’ve ever done, the trio address racism, corporate governance and border control with revolutionary spirit and boundless creativity. The taut electro of Rihanna-featuring opener “Lemon” provides a short, sharp introduction, while seven-minute opus “Lightning Fire Magic Prayer” exemplifies their daring as it twists artfully through psych-pop, hip-hop and lounge jazz. Focusing on police brutality, “Don’t Don’t Do It!” welcomes in a spine-tingling verse from Kendrick Lamar—the pick of some stellar cameos, including features from André 3000, Future and Ed Sheeran.
The new N.E.R.D. album is full of guests: Rihanna, Kendrick, Gucci, 3000, M.I.A., Wale, Ed Sheeran. They all help elevate an album that is occasionally ineffectual in its attempts at protest music.
The new N.E.R.D. album is full of guests: Rihanna, Kendrick, Gucci, 3000, M.I.A., Wale, Ed Sheeran. They all help elevate an album that is occasionally ineffectual in its attempts at protest music.
This week we take a look at the first album since 2010 from Neptunes side project N.E.R.D., and the third album released this year by L.A. hip-hop collective Brockhampton.
This week we take a look at the first album since 2010 from Neptunes side project N.E.R.D., and the third album released this year by L.A. hip-hop collective Brockhampton.
Our take on the wild beats and urgent politics of the fifth album from Pharrell's avant-rap crew.
Our take on the wild beats and urgent politics of the fifth album from Pharrell's avant-rap crew.
We're approaching 2018, but N.E.R.D. are centuries ahead of the rest of us. No_One Ever Really Dies is the group's most futuristic and exper...
We're approaching 2018, but N.E.R.D. are centuries ahead of the rest of us. No_One Ever Really Dies is the group's most futuristic and exper...
NERD’s comeback sounds very much like Williams’s show – and it’s brimming with killer tracks and star guests
NERD’s comeback sounds very much like Williams’s show – and it’s brimming with killer tracks and star guests
N.E.R.D. 'No One Ever Really Dies': Our review sees N.E.R.D. at their most interesting in years on 'No One Ever Really Dies.'
N.E.R.D. 'No One Ever Really Dies': Our review sees N.E.R.D. at their most interesting in years on 'No One Ever Really Dies.'
Urgent, harsh, but also consistent – come album five, NERD have made the starry collaborations stick, galvanised by US politics. Even Ed Sheeran sounds cool
Urgent, harsh, but also consistent – come album five, NERD have made the starry collaborations stick, galvanised by US politics. Even Ed Sheeran sounds cool
Even Pharrell’s leftovers can still be counted on for some semblance of a good time.
Even Pharrell’s leftovers can still be counted on for some semblance of a good time.
Review: There is nothing happy about Pharrell Williams and co's latest, great album.
Review: There is nothing happy about Pharrell Williams and co's latest, great album.
Pharrell's trio of marauders return firing on all cylinders. CD New Music review by Thomas H Green
Pharrell's trio of marauders return firing on all cylinders. CD New Music review by Thomas H Green