Live Review: Nerve really goes stupid, on ‘Gone Stupid’ + announces a national tour

Times are looking bloody exciting for Melbourne born, Brissy based rapper/producer extraordinaire Nerve. Announcing his forthcoming EP, 'Mummas Boy', his biggest headline tour to go with it and in my opinion, his best track yet, ‘Gone Stupid’. It's what we have come to know and love from Nerve, witty bars, articulate wordplay and a catchy hook to cover you over, but this time it feels like the takeover. 

The first thing that catches your attention is the slamming beat. Trap excellence, a saxophone (disguised as a siren) welcomes you into the chaos. It’s a circus in the best way possible. Rumbling 808s, sharp percussion and a relentless bass line are the backbone for unique vocal samples and synths to shine. It’s as equally in  your face as it is stripped back, providing the prefect platform for Nerve to go stupid. 

Flexibility is what we’ve come to know Nerve for. Whether its hopping on a grime cypher, or story telling over a boom bap beat Nerve can do it all. He takes that approach directly on this track. Opening with a catchy hook, you’d expect the track to be a sharp lesson in contemporary hip hop. However, he drags these elements out. Extended verses detailing hard work, combined with witty bars keeps the listener engaged. The wordplay is efficient and unique, and the flows chop and change. Despite all this, any rapper that shouts out his 'greek boys' and 'pita bread' gets an A+ from me, so Nerve is winning regardless. 

Upwards is the trajectory for one of Australia’s renaissance rappers. Don’t sleep on Nerve, a leader in Australia’s new generation of rap. Checkout all the details to his tour here and his EP which drops on September 20th. 

Image: SUPPLIED

Words by PARRY TRITSINIOTIS

LISTEN TO MORE NEW MUSIC HERE

SEE ALSO

GETTING TO KNOW BRISSY’S NERVE

TRIPLE ONE’S TOP TEN AUSSIE EMERGING HIP-HOP ACTS

TRIPLE ONE DESTIGMATISE CONVERSATIONS AROUND MENTAL HEALTH IN HIP-HOP VIA ‘BUTTER’