Source: Album Artwork
Watford-based rockers Nervus are about to release their sophomore album Everything Dies on the 9th March.
The band’s previous album Permanent Rainbow acted as a sort of therapy for singer Em Foster. The debut record carefully and articulately dealt with struggles of addiction and gender dysphoria. And the band’s second album is an expansion of these subjects, dealing with external forces and these effects on the mind.
Opening track ‘Congratulations’ is a soothing tune featuring smooth vocals, energetic riffs and dark, moody undertones. The record’s opener immediately takes you into the world of Nervus and their carefully constructed, reflective tracks. The spirited ‘Nobody Loses’ impresses with its intricate and fluid, Death Cab-esque melody.
The wonderfully named ‘Sick Sad World’ (Daria for life!) is propelled forward by its vibrant, tuneful riffs, and straightforward lyrics. Elsewhere, ‘Recycled Air’ is an emotive, gentle track featuring soft vocals and delicate piano.
Everything Dies is an honest, heartfelt letter to not only singer Em Foster, but to anyone facing a similar battle. The raw, DIY sound that comes from baring your soul, and recording this therapeutic content in your bedroom, is present throughout the record. To the echoed woah oh oh’s in ‘It Follows’ to the twinkly piano in ‘Medicine’, the record is poignant and true to Nervus.
The album concludes with the atmospheric ‘Fall Apart’, and we’re left with reflection and hopefulness, which is exactly what Nervus was trying to achieve with this album.
“I think the theme of the album is actually quite positive, with each and every point made about the shit that you face in life and in death, there’s an offer of hope,” says Em Foster. “Fighting to keep things in perspective, that’s what Everything Dies is about. It’s not easy, it’s not pretty, and it’s not always possible on your own or even possible at all, and it’s about grappling with that.”
