Dear bass fans, the anticipated day has arrived. Porter Robinson’s most and long-awaited album “Nurture” has arrived. For the last few months, we had the opportunity to enjoy his latest creations such as “Something Comforting” or “Musician”, tracks that easily reached the quality of what we are expecting in comparison to his other iconic LPs, say “Worlds” (released in 2014 with a follow-up remix package in the year after).

I must admit, there were high and soaring expectations on this album after the gem that “Worlds” was. It’s been nearly six years of an interval, but worth it alright. One extra thing: I will not be covering “Lifelike” because it is an intro for the album, however it is an exciting start to the whole premise.

Look at the Sky
83/100

A start and Porter Robinson scores a home run! “Look at the Sky” is a beautiful love letter drenched in heart-warming lyrics and backed with a fantastic composition (get used to me heaping praises about the production quality, can’t help it!) changing alternately between both male and female vocals. A few moments of calm is there, as the tune makes itself even more easier to sing-along to. Catchy, arresting songwriting and a high-paced melody are the principal ingredients that make this a strong opener!

Get Your Wish
79/100

Fusing pianoforte and DnB vibes with a complementing soft vocal, “Get Your Wish” is a solid production that perhaps doesn’t innovate as much yet strengthens Porter’s style, having a closer approximation to “Worlds” like vibes. In my opinion, the most commercial tune from this compilation.

Wind Tempos
80/100

A play between relaxing live instruments and an incredibly laid-back mood that can even tame the biggest beast, the FX elements gives a certain charm of calmness and serenity with small and noticeable elements that bring forth an amazing experience. The final vocal occurred to me as slightly annoying at first, but then you take an affection for it (the hook helps a lot in that).

Musician
85/100

As denoted by its given epithet, it is the most rhythmical tune from this assortment, his style at its best with an incredible synergy mashed between his oldest “gaming” style and the newer Future Bass signature, turning this into even more danceable and irresistible. Perfect for newcomers, even who might not be familiar with the said artist and his discography. The vocal performance captured here is nigh-flawless, and the beat-work splendid.

do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do
82/100

This one resorts to be an instrumental, and lets the synths do all the talking. And that magic works just as well as you would expect, and makes you wonder how it doesn’t feel repetitive or mundane even with less elements. Danceable to the end and an absolute serotonin generator, this can easily etch a smile on your face with its more than capable groove and mystic-ness.

Mother
77/100

This is the most Future Bass-iest track of the sort. Vocal chops, huge and encompassing snare drums accompanied with an alluring vocal. The drums come as a plus but the use of unknown (and unpredictable) elements like the “beep” sound all over is an intelligent move. Loved the glitchier moments!

dullscythe
72/100

It was going all praises and admirations until this; mixed feeling on “dullscythe”. I liked the glitches but it does become monotonous and irritable after a while, and the mix having a sharper tonality which makes the ear tired after a while. It turns things around in the second-half with an astonishing bassline. Probably this is an interlude (but are they be four minutes long usually?).

Sweet Time
84/100

Redeeming itself from this point, this track establishes one thing for certain: this album has the distinct honor to be one of the best well-sang one to exist. “Sweet Time” has a stunning performance, incredibly heartfelt at that. The combination struck between both vocals and the constant claps with a piano feature makes the ninth track an experience unforgettable. A sweet time indeed!

Mirror
79/100

“Mirror” is a worthwhile encounter with the same trademarks as we heard on the previous one, albeit with more emphasis to the intensity. The lyrics, as usual, are beguiling and is a plus due to the importance it carries. As always, harmonically rich and an impressive mood-setter.

Something Comforting
91/100

Saw that coming, didn’t you? My first ninety plus subject, and by far, my favourite from this entire bunch. Porter gave his heart and soul on this one, a perfect companionship between euphoric and delicate craftmanship that finishes in with an incredible drop, throwing all the way back to one from 2014. The “Worlds” touch is present here, but updated to newer sleeves. Checks on all the good words, from danceable to downright addictive. This is something comforting, a feeling that is rejoiceful till the conclusion.

Blossom
88/100

This song felt to me more suiting as an acoustic version. This is your chill moment when it plays on your audio-player of choice. The guitar does a heavy-duty, carrying all the weight of this work with (as always) the magnificent help of the human element mentioned. I remember perfectly the lyrics because it shocked on how sentimentally deep it goes.

Unfold (feat. Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs)
86/100

A team-up with the talented TEED as the only collaboration of the album, and surely it didn’t disappoint. One of the best alternative experience; TEED’s contribution is noticeable throughout, taking a dominance over the producer even (vocally maybe?). Anyways, “Unfold” is a grateful happenstance that can be easily compared with “Mother”, but with more innovation to make it stick out a little more.

Trying to Feel Alive
80/100

This is a sequel of the “Worlds” style, however lo-fi inspired and the iconic robotic vocal from Porter (I did feel a heavy presence of Madeon here, maybe it is my imagination). It is a solid conclusion, as the chorus is delectable and the support from the mentioned voice helps a lot in increasing its value.

Okay, now hear me out. “Nurture” may not have the same spark and ingenuity that “Worlds” displayed so passionately, but it has the immense potential of pleasing a broader audience altogether. Porter showed that he hasn’t grown rusty, as his new alternative hallmark is awe-inspiring with hits like “Something Comforting” or “Blossom”, embracing his originality as ever!

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