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Jayden : Hey Kelly
Kelly : Wassup Jayden Jayden : So Kelly do you know what is happening?
Kelly: Of course, this month The Fonz has decided to do something different on our album review! This is why we are here because both of us are doing the album review on Porter Robinson’s Nurture!
Jayden : Exactly, so from now on both of us will be giving our different views on the same album that each of us gets to pick each month. So that YOU THE FONZIE get a more balanced opinion/different perspective.
Kelly: So now, let's hop into the review section ^.^
Jayden : EXACTLY, enjoy our work ;)
Introduction
Music is an art form and sometimes with its medium being an art form, it has the power to take any person from any background, to experience new memories and feelings as if they had lived through it. But sometimes we forget that music can have a powerful impact on us and others, letting the notes and melodies sink back into the background with the lyrics being an afterthought. So, for me, very few albums are worth full attention, either their philosophies are nonsensical, their instrumentals are overly simplistic, or there are no interesting ideas laced throughout the project and all songs have to relate to love for some weird reason. But, after coming off the disappointment I personally felt for St Vincent's new album (Daddy’s Home), Nurture shocked me with its ethereal sound and its refreshing take on EDM. But are these sums worth their parts in full, let's discuss below.
(Jayden) I will always forever argue that a great first song is one that is immediately able to immerse its listener into the soundscape that they will be experiencing throughout the project. Lifelike is the definition of a first great song. With its violins and soft pianos mixing through the hijinks of more aggressive EDM music but in a way that works, is just plain brilliant. In fact, I would say that my only complaint is the song’s length, it’s too short and I just wish that it would’ve been at the very least a bit longer. Overall score for Lifelike : 4.5 /5 (Jayden)
(Kelly)
It's an inspiring piece, the beat and instrument used gives a chill and calm atmosphere as if we are lying on the soft and ticklish grass.
Overall score for Lifelike : 3/5 (Kelly)
(Jayden) The second song aptly named “Look at the sky” is another celebratory song with instrumentation and transcendent production, focusing on the idea that because you are alive you will eventually, based on time, create something good. If that is not encouraging in whatever situation you may or may not be facing I don't know what would. Because more than just an encouraging philosophy, it is a promise that your use of being alive is more important not because of who you are but because of what you do. The fact that you exist ensures that you can and will do something good in time. And in a pandemic like this where we feel trapped in our own homes, a promise like this might just be what we all need. Besides, if the opening transition from the piano ballad to a dance track doesn't make you want to move, in my very very very very humble opinion, you have no soul.
Overall score for Look at The Sky : 4.5/5 (Jayden) (Kelly)
The lyrics gave me a sense of hope, especially “look at the sky, I'm still here. I’ll be alive next year” The beat is incredibly soothing, and catchy as well.
Overall score for Look at The Sky : 4/5 (Kelly) Get Your Wish
(Jayden) This track has become a personal favorite of mine. Why? Well because of a personal situation I faced, this song helped me challenge my thinking in an absolute way. It asks after you’ve received your purpose…. Is that all there is? And how do you know that you will be happy with it (at least this is how I interpreted it). But besides even the lyrical content it is able to separate itself from the rest of the album while sticking true to the aesthetic sounds of the project, with its constant kicks and soft pianos that are somehow able to mix well together into a fast song. Creating a layered metaphorical cake with multiple different flavorings from different worlds that for some reason when put together just tastes perfect. My only warning is that Porter Robinson uses auto-tune in a way that elevates his voice’s pitch to sound like a female, so if you are put off by that type of sound you might find it hard to get into the song. However, in my case, it still didn’t take away me from the immaculate production and great writing found on the track.
Overall rating for Get Your Wish : 5/5 (Jayden) (Kelly)
The drumbeat at the beginning of the song caught me in the song, it provides a bright and sunny feel as well. The booming percussion that came in, got me super attached to it and brought me into a scenario where I could literally feel myself freely. Just like what Porter wrote in the lyrics “But if glory makes you happy, why are you so broken up?”, it put me into a realization that explores my inner side.
Overall rating for Get Your Wish : 5/5 (Kelly)
(Jayden)
At first, I felt that Wind Tempos was the weakest track among the great songs of Nurture. Not being able to justify its 6 minute run time and only having vague ideas in its writing describing a thesis that doesn't make sense (some of the lyrics include “it's so holy, point to you, dream of you” that's it). However, I dare you to stop reading this passage, go to your Spotify and listen to the whole track for yourself.
Only read these lines after you’ve listened to it, now honestly tell me while focusing on that track, was it able to transport you from your room, institute something warm within your heart, immerse you into a totally different realm? Because once you sit down, allow the music to speak, it burns with its words. It in short allows the listener to enter into a totally new environment with the atmosphere it's able to draw through the ears. Maybe you might not appreciate the last few songs on the project, but in my humblest opinion, this one song has the ability to change any music goer's mind on Porter in general, because it did mine.
(However I still think the lyrics are weird and not relevant so that definitely deducts the overall score)
Overall score for Wind Tempos: 4.25 /5 (Jayden) (Kelly)
The whole 6-minute track includes a variety of sound effects (?) and it makes the audience like me feel new. The transition to piano surprises me as it went off a little in my opinion.
Overall score for Wind Tempos: 2.5 /5 (Kelly) Musician
(Jayden)
I will just say it, Musician is another banger. With its musicality playing mainly with sampling, from Sarah Bonito or Porter’s own voice. This creates a unique environment for the listener to drown into, with the constant voices being a part of the instrumentals. Its messaging cannot go unnoticed too, defining the illogical struggle we all face with passion. When our passions burn us out, hurt our relationships, and create a wall between us and the world, we still pursue it all for a feeling. And somehow Porter is able to encapsulate such a jarring yet beautiful feeling of stubborn passion for all to see only within 4 minutes.
Overall score for Musician : 4.5 /5 (Jayden)
(Kelly)
Electropop and the electronic instruments used. It injects a lot of emotions to it and also a beautiful structure throughout the track is presented.
Overall score for Musician : 4.5 /5 (Kelly)
(Jayden) Go to your piano, and press finger by finger each note on the octave. Now think to yourself, how can I make a 3-minute 35-second song interesting with just this main melody. Now listen to this song, and find your answer. (in all seriousness this song is just candy, and is addictive for the ears) Overall score for Do-re-mi-fa-so-la : 4.5 /5 (Jayden) (Kelly)
The production quality is literally on point and I would definitely say extremely refreshing however I had a little disappointment with the repetitive beats as I do have high expectations on this track especially while reading the title.
Overall score for Do-re-mi-fa-so-la : 2.5/5 (Kelly)
(Jayden) Mother to me is an extremely interesting track that begs the question, in a world today where multiple mother day songs are constantly created, talking about how they love their mother or how their mother is the best mother among all other mothers, how do you make your song about this particular subject different? Well according to Porter Robinson the answer lies in the perspective, for this song instead of taking just Porter’s experience also writes from the mother's perspective. Creating a beautiful back and forth with some truly bittersweet undertones talking about how even though your mother will be there for you throughout your whole life you will have to leave her and go out on your own. It captures the essence of unconditional love, the reality of time and loss, and how through all of that the connection is never severed. Making what I think is the saddest yet heartfelt mother’s day song only somewhat like Porter can pull off (also the production is brilliant but I think you can already hear that).
Overall score for Mother : 4.5/5 (Jayden) (Kelly)
There is a lot going on in the music track that seems a little too much for me as a listener in the beginning. The lyrics connect me to the music because it's like a message that I would want my mother to know too. “I only wanna do what’s best for you”, speaks out my thoughts. The rhythm is surprisingly upbeat to me because at first I thought it would be a more funky and chill type of beat by reading the title of the track.
Overall score for Mother : 3/5 (Kelly)
(Jayden) Dull-scythe is definitely the most experimental track of the album. Using stuttering chords along with eccentric vocal chops, it's understandable if you or some find this the weakest song off the album. However, for me, its weirdness and unconventionality is what makes it extremely attractive. I love the way that the chords stutter around you (with binaural audio), the strange vocal chops that move along with the percussion of the track, and the ending that plays into the album's serene sound just makes it all come together in a special way. I think to sum up my thoughts on what this song truly provides, I will take a quotation from a comment on its Youtube page where it states “Feels like a song that doesn't know how to exist and is trying its best” And I think to me that comment changed my entire perspective on the song. So when you go in to listen to this song, keep that thought at the back of your head.
Overall score for dull-scythe : 4.75/5 (Jayden) (Kelly)
Wow! The breaking effect that Porter put into the track is a whole new world of music to me. I remember the first time listening to Dullscythe, I literally thought my Spotify is having some problem and the song was breaking but in fact it wasn't! This track is creative but it wasn't that attractive and catchy to me because I couldn't find the spark of this track. It is still a creative and new music track to me.
Overall score for dull-scythe : 2/5 (Kelly)
(Jayden)
Emotional resonance is something that each songwriter needs to reach with their songs. Songs such as Chinese Satellite by Phoebe Bridges are the perfect example of what these types of songs should be because, in my opinion, that song is a perfect example of emotional resonance. However, when songwriters fail at writing an impactful emotional narrative it can easily come off as cringe or inauthentic. For example Lonely by Tomes and I makes me want to dig my ears out due to the poetic failure of trying to sound like a depressed person with anxiety, issues, and whatever the writer could find on the list of bad mental health states. But I am glad to report that this song does not fall into that trap of bad emotional narratives. Instead, this song delves into the topic of death and how life is moving too fast for us. Sometimes we don’t take a moment to catch up, costing us our literal lives. Therefore this song is more of a challenge I would say to the listener and to the writer himself, to take moments time at a time so that we can enjoy them to the fullest. And this song is no exception to that rule
Overall score for Sweet Time : 4.25/5
(Kelly)
Another example of a catchy track that Porter composed. Super catchy and it occupies my mind right after I finish the song. I enjoy this track a lot when I am chilling alone in the room because it just gives me a self love and an alone sweet time atmosphere
Overall score for Sweet Time : 5/5
(Jayden) Throughout the album there are countless moments where Porter’s songs might be able to connect to the listener, however, in my honest opinion, this is the very song that has the strongest chance to connect with you. Why? Because its topic focuses on the very struggle we all face when being alive, the harshest critics of ourselves, which is us. But instead of a song in which the protagonist struggles with himself, he learns to accept that every part of himself is as beautiful as the other and confronts that negative self. The thing is that even though there is confrontation, that negativity doesn't go away and the protagonists admits that in the chorus, yet even with that voice Porter is still able to face it and move on through the valley. Also, the music is just good, the drop with the vocal chops is addicting and I will fight anyone else who thinks otherwise (just kidding of course).
Overall score for Mirror : 4.25/5 (Jayden) (Kelly)
A 20-second intro of shimmering and shining in the beginning, when the vocal entered it became more lively and attractive to me. Looking at the lyrics, it was really memorable too
Overall score for Mirror : 2/5 (Kelly)
(Jayden) After the introspection and the slowing down of previous songs, Something Comforting picks the pace back up, preparing us for the last few songs in the album. Starting on what seems like another slower song it drives into full gear once the catchy chorus picks up with that familiar manipulated high voice. It's also quite interesting how this song thematically starts after the last song, with a downtrodden protagonist confronting his inner demons to a request of someone to tell him something comforting. So not only does this song play into the themes of the album as a whole but it also speaks of the wish-fulfillment trap that all of us tend to face with ourselves. How even though we have enough, getting makes us want more, and we are never satisfied. Not only in terms of physical items but in terms of mentality whereby we are not enough for ourselves even though we might have already achieved great things. Therefore as someone who does personally struggle with such a mentality this song becomes something comforting to me because it helps me confront that side of me, so how can I not give this a good score.
Overall score for Something Comforting : 4.5/5 (Jayden)
(Kelly)
A more upbeat, fast-paced one with a little vocal. It felt a little too ‘fast’ to me but I wouldn’t say it is bad because it is still stimulating and lits me up
Overall score for Something Comforting : 3/5 (Kelly)
(Jayden)
Blossom is the most conflicting song on the album for me because on one hand I always skipped as I felt that it was the weakest song. Yet at the same time whenever I come back to truly focus on the lyrics and atmosphere I am engrossed in the personal love letter that Porter sends to his Significant Other. Where the lyrics don't match up, the lines break, just for Porter to tell her that he loves her in the most different ways. I think what makes art is when the structure is broken and the writer is capable of saying whatever he/she wants in the most unique ways. And if Porter stating that he will defy God just to be with her is not the ultimate gesture of love I don't know what is. So what was originally going to be the weakest song on the album has just pierced my heart, so take at that what this album does to me, that the weakest song is still able to leave an unspeakable effect
Overall score for Blossom : 4/5 (Jayden)
(Kelly)
Apart from “Sweet Time”, .“Blossom” is definitely one of my top and favorite among all the tracks. It is lovely and romantically beautiful while listening to it alone. Although there is only guitar strumming along the whole track, the spark never fades off, just like the graceful flowers that bloom during the spring.
Overall score for Blossom : 5/5 (Kelly)
(Jayden)
We are now nearing the very end of the album, and Unfold acts as such a great last hurrah that I would not be disappointed if it was truly the end of the album but thankfully it is not. It's a bit hard for me honestly to capture the words of what I feel about Unfold, but this creative piece that speaks about the pressure of life and the passing of time has captured my heart. I think I honestly cannot use words to put forth how much I enjoy this song, maybe you can understand if I were to quote what I think is one of the strongest lyrics found on this album in this song
“Do you see how you've grown?
Don't be sorry, then”.
And I am sure as ever that I am not sorry for giving this song an incredible score for an incredible statement.
Overall score for Unfold : 4.75/5 (Kelly) Gave me a fantasy and dreamy feel. When it reached 1.05, the transition was a little sudden to me because it was slower and calming and suddenly there was a strong transition. As it goes, I realize there were a few transitions in this track. Honestly, it does not reach my expectation as a listener but I am truly impressed with how Porter is confident in exploring a variety of transitions and putting it into her music Overall score for Unfold : 2.5/5 (Kelly)
(Jayden) So, this is the song of our last steps through the journey of Nurture. I have so much to say overall about the album but keeping it narrow and focusing on this song in particular, again what a finisher. After the multiple tracks of introspection, songs about loss and life, we are rewarded with an uplifting melody fueling us with the power to move forward. Just like the lyrics suggested, it feels as if Nurture is a calm serene mountain. A mountain that contains a battle between inner demons the fight against time, yet here we are through all of it we made it at the top of the mountain. But listening to these songs never felt like a fight, instead, with calming soundscapes and beautiful dance tunes we are capable of dealing with certain topics that may or may not disturb us. So how do you end such a masterpiece? By trying to feel alive of course. And make no mistake I've realized that this is probably the only time that Porter has sounded so energetic in his delivery as if he is sending us off to face our problems head-on with the knowledge that we can power through all of it. The good, the bad, the ugly, that's what it means to feel alive. So of course with a final push of a beautiful soundscape and a meta lyric meant for songwriters, we finish an amazing album wanting (well for me) to start all over again.
Overall score for Trying To Feel Alive : 4.75/5
(Kelly)
The electrical call and cracking effects didn’t seem too pleasant for me but as it goes the rhythms do pull into the song and feel the beats. Personally, throughout the whole song of “Trying to feel alive”, I think the best part is when there are lyrics as it helps to make the song more “alive”. The song ended a little sudden to me but it is undeniable that the outro was really nice and amusing.
Overall score for Trying To Feel Alive : 3.5/5 (Kelly)
Conclusion (Jayden) Overall Nurture has become one of my personal favorite albums of all time and is concurrently one of the albums I hold close to my heart. However, you may say that compared to my previous review I am quite biased to this album in general and I will agree strongly with such a statement? Why? Because this album does not only sound great but it has also helped me personally with my struggles during this pandemic season. I will be honest, if I was being straightly objective this album would receive an 8/10, but when I was going through that tough personal season (which I will not disclose) Nurture gave me the strength I needed to push forward. It felt like a warm hug that did not judge, did not comment, but just understood. That because you are alive you are already special and that is enough. At the end of the day, what is art? Art at its best in my opinion is when a writer is able to create whatever they want because they feel something strongly, whether it's the pain of a past *SOUR* relationship or the promise of greatness that needs to be *NURTURE*d. And when you are able to create a connection with the listener at the end of the day that is what matters, then to the listener that work becomes the greatest work of art they’ve conceived. So for such an album, you can call me biased in a subjective field, but how can I strictly judge a friend even though they have helped me through times?
In summary, I definitely recommend this album, in fact, do me a favor and go listen to it right now, for if you are like me and facing those big mountains you can’t seem to climb up, let it hold you until you are ready.
Overall score for Nurture (Jayden) : 90/100 Overall score for Nurture (Kelly)
: 68/100
Fonzie double album review overall average : 79 /100 * Written by Jayden Loh and Low Yen Tong (Kelly). Overseen by Josiah Foo and Daniel Hakim*
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