Last updated on October 29, 2022
Nimrawd‘s ethos is ’90s big beat. His previous work proved that this man knows his way around a big bass line, punchy kit beats, and fuzzy synths. Love remains builds on those skills by dialing back some of the raucous party vibes and adding in mystery. Tunes like “I Know You” work with the same basic sonic palette as before, but in a minor key and with legato melodies. Even “Dee Dee,” which has a squiggly lead melody and charming vocal snippets for color, leads with breathy synths that tone the punch down. It’s less a kick in the face and more of a sneaky approach.
The results are gleeful head-bobbing (“Ends with Blue”) and introspective pondering (“Robinhood,” “Empty Well”). Some goodhearted moments of goofy fun remain amid the streamlined, cooler grooves, but I won’t spoil the sonic punch lines of “Knuckles” or “Klaus” for you. Love remains is a late-night jam instead of a blown-out house party, and you gotta have both in your life, you know? Highly recommended.