Porter Robinson - Nurture

Release Date: April 23th, 2021
Genre: Electronic, synth, ambient

Is this good or is this shit? I imagine the non-EDM people discovered him from the "Shelter" music video, because that's where I came in. I'm not too big on anime, nor am I a fan of this type of music, so I felt very indifferent to the song. I told myself to not expect a full album of "Shelter," but it's the only thing I had as a reference point.

Review: I had major writer's block when I knew I wanted to give this album a score, yes, its very dreamy, ethereal, and it had that feeling of "healing" because of how light all the words were. The first two songs are basically together and it's nice, pleasing, but it's exactly how I imagine what a Porter Robinson song would sound like with the pop song formula. "Get Your Wish" has the same feel, but less showboating, more low-key euphoric.

The beginning of "Wind Tempos" reminds me a lot of LCD Soundsystem, and hearing the song unravel til the second half where we get this chopped up repeated phases of "it's so holy..." iono, feels sad in a good way. It's very interesting that you can hear mouse clicks like the song is a work in progress. The song ends as if it was leading into the next song, but "Musician" is more poppy, less ups and downs, just straight high.

I like "do-re-mi." "Mother" is fine, it doesn't stand out as much. "dullscythe" has those chopped up effects like on "wind tempos." I find the song interesting, but could use something extra. I feel like the emotional climax, if there is one, is for the song "Sweet Time." No crazy tricks, just a steady slow beat, sweet song.

"Mirror" and "Something Comforting" are fine, it has those loud bass sounds to get you pumped, but it also made me feel tired. I like the acoustic "blossom" and wish it was the last track. The last two songs have this grand worshiping feel to them. It's too harsh to say they are bad, but since I don't listen to electronic music, it just feels like another shade of the same color of this album.

Tracklist/Scorecard:
1. Lifelike 8/10
2. Look at the Sky 7/10
3. Get Your Wish 8/10
4. Wind Tempos 10/10
5. Musician 7/10
6. do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do 8/10
7. Mother 6/10
8. dullscythe 7/10
9. Sweet Time 9/10
10. Mirror 7/10
11.Something Comforting 6/10
12. Blossom 8/10
13. Unfold 5/10
14. Trying to Feel Alive 7/10

Summary: I listened to this without knowing what the "singles" were and the songs that felt like they were meant to be singles, were indeed, released prior to the album release. I feel that some songs could have been cut because it felt like the same shade of the same color. Still, it took a while for me to adjust to hearing his voice and his vocaloid-type of voice. Sometimes, it's too dry for me, but when the music isn't relying on the electronic tropes of heavy bass and drops, there is this nice ethereal, "healing" to the music.

Key Tracks: Get Your Wish, Wind Tempos, Sweet Time
Rating: 7/10