No One Ever Really Dies
N.E.R.D. · 2017
51 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock
A genre-blurring exploration of identity and society, merging funk rock with sharp lyrical commentary and eclectic rhythms.
Top tracks — play these first
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Lemon Start here — This track stands out with its infectious beat and features Rihanna's powerful vocals, delivering a potent message about self-identity and resistance.
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Don't Don't Do It! — With its provocative lyrics inspired by Eric Garner's death, this song combines urgency with a catchy hook, exemplifying the album's socio-political focus.
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Kites — Incorporating orchestral elements, this track offers an introspective moment that balances the album's more energetic songs while exploring themes of freedom and transcendence.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends genres with energetic shifts but lacks a strong cohesive flow across all tracks.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track featuring a prominent bassline and layered vocals, setting a vibrant tone.
- Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo changes, such as 'Don’t Don’t Do It!', which shifts from a laid-back groove to an intense climax.
- The use of diverse instrumentation, including horns and electronic elements, is prevalent throughout, creating a rich sonic landscape.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo flow
- vibrant, energetic listening sessions
- reflective and introspective moments
- dynamic emotional shifts
- engaging, thought-provoking content
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Revitalizes N.E.R.D.'s sound and addresses contemporary issues after a long hiatus.
- Themes
- police brutality commentary· post-Obama America
- Moods
- Energetic· Introspective
- Career context
- Released in January 2017, 'No One Ever Really Dies' marks N.E.R.D.'s first album in over seven years, following the experimental 'Seeing Sounds' in 2008. As the group re-entered the music scene, they aimed to address contemporary issues through their distinctive sound, reflecting a renewed energy and purpose after a lengthy hiatus.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Neptunes· OutKast· Gnarls Barkley
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Don't Don't Do It!
The narrative shifts to directly confront systemic injustice through stark imagery and emotion-driven language that grips the listener.
This direct address not only heightens the urgency of the message but also illustrates N.E.R.D.'s commitment to intertwining personal experiences with broader societal critiques.
Tracklist
- 1 Lemon Start here 3:39
- 2 Deep Down Body Thurst 4:11
- 3 Voilà 4:21
- 4 1000 4:03
- 5 Don’t Don’t Do It! 4:17
- 6 ESP 5:29
- 7 Lightning Fire Magic Prayer 7:45
- 8 Rollinem 7’s 5:09
- 9 Kites 4:51
- 10 Secret Life of Tigers 3:45
- 11 Lifting You 3:43
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
DAMN.
Kendrick Lamar
Explores resilience and identity through a vibrant mix of hip-hop, funk, and introspective lyrics.
Malibu
Anderson .Paak
Fuses hip-hop and funk with a focus on individuality and resilience in a post-Obama landscape.
Undun
The Roots
Combines hip-hop with rock elements while addressing social issues and personal narratives.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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