There ain’t no rest for the wicked. Releasing both the fresh single “A.S.M.R” and the new EP Mumma’s Boy within the past two months, Sydney rapper Nerve has kept himself busy. Following up from his June 2019 release “Walk & Talk Pt.1”, this sequel is just more evidence that Nerve is one of the country’s best. Producing a track this good in the thick of such a busy schedule if nothing shows Nerve’s workhorse mentality and commitment to the grind.
“Walk & Talk Pt.2” has similar lyrical themes to the first, but with a much brighter and happier sound. The beat is similar enough to act as a natural extension of the first track while introducing some new elements to allow Pt.2 to stand on its own. With the same rhythm, the sequel isn’t as deep and the drum machine focuses more on the woody snare and tinny hi hats. The bright effects in the high end, and distant horns at the end of bars, contrast well with the syncopated booming bass to give the track a playful but on genre hip/hop beat. The real star of the track is Nerve’s relentless bars. Right from the first line, “ay, lemme begin”, the audience knows they’re in for a treat. The lyrics are varied, with recurring themes of hard work, ignoring hate and respecting mates. It takes a true master to tell a nostalgic story of getting bubblegum Cold Rock ice-cream as a kid only to then hit them with the line “curls get the girls.” As the track goes on he only gets better and better, with some bars being tongue twisters and others being rhythmic assaults, before the finishing sequence. This finale is both fast and complex, being a testimony to Nerve’s skill as one of Sydney’s best rappers.
Great lines include:
“Breaking boundaries like don bradman in his hay day. They can hate but i ain’t ever listen to what they say.”
“Shoutout to Golly, we getting it right. Don’t need the molly, I just need a mic.”
“While you acting like you black, I’m putting crackers on the map.”
Special mention goes to hit one take music video, shot on the gorgeous vista of Sydney harbour. Catch Nerve at the final show of his Mumma’s Boy Tour in Brisbane on November 2nd.