365 – New Music Daily

N.E.R.D’s debut album In Search Of has a lot of the tropes that you would find in Pharrell based production – very unique chops driving beats, funky shit, and overall great musicality. For me, this album started off okay – with the ‘mid’ plateauing at Provider. Provider confused me greatly. However after this, I thought the album took off, with some great beats, fucking incredible song structure and just unique stuff.

The songwriting lacks here and there but is almost always recompensed with incredible layers, whether vocally or through snyths/keys, the album is just great musically. This is epitomized for me in the song Bobby James – not my favorite lyrics, especially in certain parts (you can be the judge of where) – however the instrumental breakdown in the back half of the song more than makes up for it.

I certainly have an affinity for Pharrell production, if you don’t, I get it, but also I don’t. This is some good shit.

Favorite songs: Things Are Getting Better, Truth or Dare, Tape You, Run to the Sun, Baby Doll, Rockstar, Bobby James