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Nurture, a non-traditional listening experience
DJ Porter Robinson's emotional journey into non-linear change that slowly blossoms and shapeshifts into self reflection & inner peace, all in one album.
By:SUSU.JPG
March 8th, 2023
From humble beginnings and seemingly brought out of the darkness, EDM DJ Porter Robinson made a startling comeback after almost 9 years of radio silence. In the midst of all the troubles brought on by the pandemic, Porter released "Nurture." His sophomore album delves into the world of mental health struggles, feelings of worthlessness, burnout & overall self realization/understanding that'll have you yearning for more. This 14 track album takes us on a journey that can only be described as reassuring, comforting and loving all at once. It hugs us like a mother who shows us nothing but unconditional love, and cries with us over our plaguing thoughts of unworthiness and self doubt. In releasing this Porter asks us a fundamental question, "who and what are we?" and "what can you do to make the most out of this life?"
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Upon discovering this album I found myself in a pandemic and in dire need of music that I could emotionally relate to, cry to, and love with my whole heart. You could hear the melodies from miles away, the doors suddenly open to a whole new world of electronic sounds and pop synths that are reminiscent of some familar tracks we saw on his "Worlds" album from 2014. This versatility was refreshing to see, it's not often that you find an electro-pop work that strays from the norm. This album hit all the right spots for me, starting off with a beautiful breathtaking piano synth and ending with a song that pulls at the feeling of dissatisfaction with oneself. At its core, Nurture pulls at our heartstrings and allows us to be vulnerable with Porter whether we intended to or not. Liberating, heartfelt & honest when it comes to our human struggles, Porter sings and spins a tale together of a lost hope that is once again found.
Overview
This album begins with Lifelike, a stunning piano track that feels like an arm extended out towards you, in hopes of you reaching back to take it. It'll soon guide you through this album hand in hand. It's the shortest track off of the album, reminiscent of a sort of folk-ish tune you often find in anime. Initially filled with grief, the track slowly builds its way up to a climactic feeling of pride, a vision of a bright green pasture that sways slowly with each gust of wind. This sets the mood for what is to come and gives you a chance and some time to collect yourself before you are thrown towards the next track, Look at the Sky. You are greeted with a much more uplifting sound, giving you a dosage of a new sort of feeling. The message of this song sticks with you, opening your eyes in hopes of you taking the next step in self-fulfillment. Take time to look at the sky, and appreciate who you are and how far you've come as a person. Get Your Wish is the track that stares right into your eyes and asks you "What and who is it that you do this for?" A ballad that challenges your love for a craft, immense in synthetic sound. Wind Tempos is easily a favorite of mine on this album. With its simplicity in sound and buildup, it chops itself to be a traditional minimalist piano track from start to finish. A sort of music box track filled with charm and poise that'll have you hooked on the progression.
Musician is a turning point for this album sound wise and directionally. Optimism, self acceptance and fear flows through this track stronger than ever before. This song does well at showing Porter's vulnerability, the lyrics hinting at the idea of feeling unworthy of creating music, burnout becoming a friend to one and an enemy to another. Porter manages to encapsulate the sounds of a roaring crowd that is eager to release all of their stresses and worries, jumping around to a seemingly upbeat song. Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do is the interlude of this album, though it seems to save you temporarily from the big wave of emotions to come next. Mother is seemingly my favorite track off of this album, never failing to bring on the waterworks whenever I give it a listen. It's a love song and ballad to mothers all over the world, an appreciation to life and love alone. The song wraps itself around me like my own mother would when she would see me cry, reminding me of a love so unconditional. It cradles you and reminds you that in this world you are loved, there's someone in this world that'll find meaning in you no matter how old you get. Dullsythe world builds with you, piecing itself together little by little until you hit its tipping point. It gets lost within itself, choppy and imperfect in nature. Sweet Time is as touching as you'd expect, exploring the worlds between love and the afterlife. Building bridges musically and lyrically between what it means to love someone so much that eternity with them is all you would need to feel fulfilled.
In a sudden gust of change Mirror takes you through Porter's mind as he sings about his mental health challenges. Simultaneously he shows us a mirror of ourselves, our flaws, and our possibilities. This might not be my favorite track but understanding the core message of the song is just as important as the sound itself. Porter says to us "my hope is that other people can overcome this same kind of shame - it can be really liberating to recognize that most of the time, we’re only letting our own thoughts get in the way, and we can do something about it.” A solemn reminder that it will all be okay in the end. The later half of this album wears its heart on its sleeve, following with Something Comforting as a reminder that if we give up on our passions, we give up on ourselves. It jumps from seemingly electric in sound to melancholic with its usage of simple piano snippets. Blossom is my 2nd favorite track off of this album, an acoustic piece that is beautiful on its own. With just the opening guitar part I found myself in a puddle of tears, the lyrics mending together a story of unconditional love that transcends self doubt and heals the heart. To love someone so much that happiness is all you will ever want for them and yourself. As we near the end of the album we are hit with two final tracks Unfold & Trying to Feel Alive. Porter leaves us with a sentimental feeling, one that will leave you filled with determination and hope.
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To say that I love this album is an understatement. I've been listening to EDM for as long as I can possibly remember, none have helped me the way this release did. It found me during a time of healing, I was at a crossguard with my own emotions. I had wondered if I would ever get better, if I could reach some sort of Nirvana. Was it possible for me? How could I ever get better with the way I already am? Nurture came at the right time, and showed me what it meant to appreciate this life for what it truly is. There is no hidden meaning, it's plain to see. We are what we make of this life, live it to the fullest. Allow yourself to feel everything, good and bad. Porter wants us to strip ourselves down to the very bone, examine who we are as people. He shows us that we have the power to improve ourselves, it lies within us. With its acoustic and pop elements Nurture manages to swim without sinking, providing a good balance with each track bouncing off of each other. This album seemingly made me fall in love with the genre all over again.
May these moments never end.
"There's no shame in having hope"
(ó ꒳ ò✿)
If you would like to take a listen to this album I will provide links to do so!
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