N.E.R.D – No_One Ever Really Dies

Pharrell Williams brings his pop pedigree to his side project N.E.R.D’s politically charged fifth record.

N.E.R.D which consists of Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley has always been a more politically charged outfit than Pharrell’s solo projects but with this new record the group have struck the perfect balance between political message and catchy tunes.

Throughout the record N.E.R.D welcome aboard a number of guest vocalists and collaborators which include the likes of Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar and Ed Sheeran. These are not simply attempts to strike a cord with new audiences but rather exciting new explorations of these artists. Rihanna in particular opens the record on Lemon by not singing a single line but rather delivering a biting rap verse.

No_One Ever Really Dies is an interesting record which can simply be enjoyed for its catchy pop stylings on the initial listening but upon each subsequent listen will have a much deeper impact as the listener grasps all of the lyrical content.

★★★1/2