Fly Or Die

We’ve only just recovered from the Neptunes onslaught of 2003, but here are the creators of the most catchiest hooks the music industry has ever witnessed with album number two, ‘Fly Or Die’. The phenomenal success achieved by ‘In Search Of…’ has led the guys back into the studio with a clearer idea of what is next on the cards for N*E*R*D.

N*E*R*D aren't just Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo anymore, the group also includes childhood friend Sheldon ‘Shay’ Haley, who plays vocalist and idea specialist to the duo. Hardcore followers will notice the absence of the band Spymob in the second album. Originally, Pharrell and Chad recorded songs for ‘In Search Of…’ with programmed beats which made the tunes sound very similar to the tracks they produced for the vast array of artists that they have worked with. Eventually they decided to re-record the songs with live instruments courtesy of the Minneapolis funk outfit Spymob (who are signed to the Neptunes Star Trak label).

Minus Spymob, the new tracks are less funk-rooted and more boastful of heavy influential British pop and classic rock music of yester-year. They have even carried out a collaboration with Neptunes fan Lenny Kravitz, who plays guitar on the track ‘Maybe’. ‘Don’t Worry About It’ has a 60’s Beatles-esque pop influence with a hip-swinging backbeat. ‘I Love The Way She Dance’ takes the album down to a more Studio 54 era with it’s instrumental jam session that takes you back to the days of disco, but not without a signature Neptune hook in tow.

Pharrell has taken the role of storyteller as he tackles modern issues through the songs he has written for ‘Fly Or Die’. The album portrays the dilemmas witnessed from a kids perspective of the world who is being played between good and evil. The most poignant subjects tackled on the album include bullying in the shape of the track ‘Thrasher’, rebellion with the hard-hitting ‘Drill Sergeant’ and the awkwardness of first-time love with the predictably titled track ‘Backseat Love’.

Both albums go to show that N*E*R*D is from the heart. With the survive techniques of hip hop in one hand and the psychedelic feelings of love from classic rock in the other, somewhere in the middle of it all is where you will find the perfect controls for N*E*R*D’s existence.