N.E.R.D. - Everyone Nose
Record Label: Star Trak / Interscope Records
Release Date: May 13, 2008
Who?
Formed in 2001 by Hugo Chad & Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes and drummer Shay Haley, N.E.R.D. have been critical darlings since their 2002 debut In Search Of... That year, they received many positive reviews and won the prestigious Shortlist Music Prize. With their new single Everyone Nose, the band offers up two tracks from their upcoming album, Seeing Sounds.
How is it?
The opening track “Spaz” gives the listener a good idea of what N.E.R.D. is about, with a rapid-fire beat played over an addictive electronic sample and a chorus with distorted guitars. William’s distinctive high-pitched vocals and Haley’s incredibly deep voice make for a great contrast, and the bridge to the song has the beat dropping out and a spacey keyboard part creating an incredible atmosphere.
“Everyone Nose” (which is inexplicably the second track on its own promo single) showcases what makes N.E.R.D.’s music so great, with the bass line and horn samples make it one of the most addictive hip-hop songs in recent memory. The band refuses to take themselves seriously in their lyrics, with the chorus containing a mantra of “All the girls standing in the line for the bathroom!” While the song doesn’t contain any gems quite like “Her ass is a space ship that I want to ride” from Fly or Die’s “She Wants to Move,” it’ll be sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.
With only these two songs, Everyone Nose is bound to leave the listener satisfied but wanting more. In that sense, it couldn’t be a better teaser for the new album. Check out this single if you’re curious.