N.E.R.D's new album is packed with A-list features, but some of the best tracks are the ones that allow the band to be self-contained. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Pharrell revealed that post-punk acts like Gang of Four and Suicide's Alan Vega influenced the direction of the album. "Deep Down Body Thurst," the first song on the album following the lead single "Lemon" bears that influence proudly. It opens with a warm key-led Pharrell hooks that sounds like it could have come off In Search Of..., but quickly grows into a punchy, shouty anthem that's not too far off from "Damaged Goods." The darting bassline gives the song a thrilling live energy that reminds us why the Spymob mix of their debut will always be the essential version.
The album, released Friday, features guest appearances from Kendrick Lamar, Gucci Mane, Wale, M.I.A., and Ed Sheeran. Stream it here.
Quotable Lyrics:
Yeah, I heard what you said
All bets are off
You're a choke artist, man
Man you would have stalled
Running against my race, you're lost
We're all at the matinee
The American mall
Where corporations won't pay
For effects they cause