Nero: Welcome Reality

Nero
Welcome Reality
Rating: Grrrr

I love being surprised. Most dubstep/DnB artists are generally singles driven, never releasing full albums, sometimes putting out the odd EP here and there, but usually trying to stay on the pulse of the new, keeping their name and sound out there. Nero, the duo of Daniel Stephens and Joe Ray, have always seemed a little outside the norm, performing live on occasion in addition to traditional DJ sets, releasing longer form EPs, and putting together their songs and videos in ways that allude to something greater than the parts alone. Last year, I fell in love with their track "Innocence," which made it into my top 10 singles of 2010. At the time the track was out, Nero had been announcing that a full-length album was in the works, of course, this being a dubstep act, I assumed it was merely bluffing. For the longest time it seemed it was all an act, as more singles/videos were released and several more EPs. I didn't have high hopes for anything more. Strangely, I was shocked to see that they actually released Welcome Reality. At first glance of the track listing I saw all the singles that had been released in the past year along with a few new tracks. Being ever the cynic, I believed it would be the usual cheap ploy of trying to cash in on their growing popularity, a few singles along with a lot of boring filler. While the whole album is not completely killer, the singles along with the new tracks (and couched in a bit of prog rock/hoo ha concept about a dystopian state) work together well and have a sense of drama and purpose that is missing from a lot of releases these days.

Let's touch on the already slamming singles they've released. "Innocence" is still one of the most dramatic, gorgeous dubstep tracks out there. The builds and releases are masterful. Alana Watson, who sings on a lot of the album tracks, but is not an official member, provides her excellent vocals.



"Me And You" is a brilliant, pop leaning song with an 80s synthpop coupled with a buzzy 90s rave feel



"Guilt" features an amazing vocal turn from Watson, that retains the same sense of drama from "Innocence."



And latest single "Promises" is a synth buzzy rave-up with a driving energy that is infectious.



Most of the remaining songs, while not having the energy or perfection of the initial singles still are far more than filler. "My Eyes" is all throbbing, sexual energy, released in a frenzy of screaming synth blasts.



"In The Way" is a welcome comedown from all the high energy singles. It is akin to a dubstep interpretation of trip-hop. Sinister and buzzy, it could fit well on Massive Attack's Mezzanine.



Surprisingly, the dubstep cover of The Jet's "Crush On You" is not the howler it could have been, and actually grows on you past the initial WTF? moment.



The rest of the songs range from innocuous pop confections ("Must Be The Feeling" and the Daryl Hall sampling "Reaching Out"), to meandering electro ("Scorpions" and "Fugue State"), and orchestral instrumentals ("2028" and "Departure"). While not standing well on their own, within the sequencing of the album add needed variety and texture. Welcome Reality is not exactly what I would refer to as a classic album, or one that the is totally original, however, the singles alone are worth the price of the album, and truly are masterful pop singles. The rest of the album holds your interest and even exceeds expectations, plus it is just and exciting sounding record. I also definitely suggest checking Nero out live, even if it is just a DJ set; the same energy and pacing comes across even more.

Rating Guide

Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.

Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.

Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top releases of the year.

Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and peaks one's interest for more material.

Meh: not horrible, but certainly not great; could have either been polished, trimmed, or re-thought.

Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.

Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.