One way or another, everyone is a fan of Pharrell Williams. His long list of hits range back decades and he gave some of music biggest stars their biggest records! His mark on music is indelible but his superpowers are super charged when he joins forces with band mates Shay Hayley and Chad Hugo.When these three join forces we get songs like Lapdance and albums like Seeing Sounds. N.E.R.D. music has always been a quirky blend of punk, hip hop, and that classic Virginia funk (cc: Missy & Timbaland.) But what I got when l listened to this album was something I couldn’t see coming. At first listen, the album felt aggressively energetic—like a cup of black coffee after you've weened yourself off caffeine. I didn’t know what to do with myself until so I just enjoyed the ride and ever changing landscape of that album. That is until I found the song that hit me.

Esp.

"You got energy, but you ain't gonna use it/You got so much time, but you ain’t gonna use it…" Pharrell sang through my car speakers. The 80’s inspired production reeled me in but the lyrics tipped me over and poured me out. The lyrics were so intentional, timely, and inspiring. It felt as if Pharrell was speaking directly to me saying "Hey, you can do it too," through the music.

I was having a spiritual experience as I rewound the breakdown for the second time

Detach yourself (let go, let go, let go, let go, let go)
Re-pack yourself
Be back yourself (let go, let go, let go, let go, let go)
And dream as yourself
Be seen as yourself (let go, let go, let go, let go, let go)
Beam as yourself
Scream as yourself (let go, let go, let go, let go, let go)
And be king of yourself

I nearly came out of my body when Lightning, Fire, Magic, Prayer came on! Shook, is the only word I can think of to describe my mood after the seven minute long super track. Slowly but surely, I began to sink into this album and I can undoubtedly say that I LOVE it!

This album did something to me an album hasn't done in a long time— it actually made me want to listen to it! When I say listen to it, I don't mean those casual spins we've grown so accustomed to with our digital libraries. I mean I actually spent time with it, I listened to it exclusively and allowed it to get into my mind, body and spirit. I got intimate with the project and grew to love each track for it's own unique reason.

N.E.R.D. called on some HUGE names for this album! Gucci Mane, Future, Rihanna, Wale, Ed Sheeran, Andre 3000, M.I.A. and Kendrick Lamar all boast features, but what's amazing here is N.E.R.D.'s ability to take these artists to another level while keeping their essence in tact. I've never heard any of them the way I heard them on this album but they somehow still sound like themselves. N.E.R.D. managed to take each artist’s sound and elevate it.

But, what I enjoyed MOST is the message behind this album. We are in tumultuous times and you can feel the dis-ease in the air. N.E.R.D did what a lot fail to do, and that’s actually use their platofrm to say something. You can kick, scream, cry, yell, and heal to this album. Every time I listen to the project I get a burst of endorphins chicken heading in my body. No One Ever Really Dies is a masterclass in music and production and prime example of knowing the rules before you break them. Each song is so carefully crafted it’s almost cinematic. This may be my favorite work by N.E.R.D to date. I give it 5 mics! Be sure to check out their mini doc and listening party on http://nooneeverreallydies.com/

Track List

Lemon
Deep Down Body Thrust
Voila
1000
Don't Do It
Esp
Lightning Fire Magic Prayer
Rollinem 7's
Kites
Secret Life Of Tigers
Lifting You

N.E.R.D: Pop a Wheelie on The Zeitgeist