Porter Robinson - Nurture

'Nurture', the sophomore album from Porter Robinson, begins wonderfully with the sonically cathartic 'Lifelike.' The invigorating violin, starry synths and piano complete a lively instrumental that could blossom a colourful landscape of flowers. 'Look Up the Sky' is an uplifting anthem of hope. The production is an elegant beam of colours through pleasingly energising percussion, revving patterns of synths and vocal chops and segments of acoustic guitar and piano keys. Additionally, Porter Robinson is blissful in vocals here, both when raw and autotuned. A pleasant track of perseverance follows in 'Get Your Wish.' The production is similarly uplifting to 'Look At The Sky' as Porter Robinson continues to satisfy through pitched-up vocals.

After 'Wind Tempos', 'Nurture' reaches one of the more personal chapters in 'Musician.' Here, Porter is conflicted with himself. Throughout the track, he questions whether being a musician is right for him. Despite highs of feeling a 'new day dawn', he also experiences the lows of a creative mind, such as burn out to the point Porter is telling himself 'he should not do this to himself.' Fortunately, through his pleasant up pitched vocals and over dreamy production of vocal chops and sampling from Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock's 'It Takes Two', Porter realises that the thrill from producing music is temporary in the track's bridge. "I know it does not last, but I do not mind at all anymore.' Now, he can see his 'life so clearly', no longer anxious about 'burn out.' Following a sonically relaxing spaceship ride through our Solar System in 'do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do' and a decent ode to moms in 'Mother', 'Nurture' does reach a speed bump at 'dullscythe.' The seeming idea of 'dullscythe' is interesting. That is of Porter overcoming a creative block through exploring random patterns of keys and synths until finding a fitting melody. Unfortunately, the actual cut is offputting in the first half due to choppy keys and synths. The completed instrumental in the second half of 'dullscythe' is only somewhat redeeming.

Following the sweet love ballad in 'Sweet Time' and the decent 'Mirror', where Robinson overcomes self-doubt, Robinson seemingly recounts a depressive episode in 'Something Comforting.' Over a stunning euphoric drum & bass production that includes a pleasing vocally-chopped drop and minimal, starry piano, Porter vocally showcases genuine struggle as 'getting made him want more', yet 'hoping made him hurt more'. He questions himself if something was wrong with him. Desperately, he needs someone to tell him something 'comforting' to help him out of this depressive state.

After the soothing acoustic love song, 'Blossom,' and an enjoyable tune of personal growth in 'Unfold,' 'Nurture' ends finely with 'Trying to Feel Alive.' The beautiful glitchy instrumental is fitting as an uplifted Porter feels 'maybe he does not need to feel satisfied, maybe it is a gift that he spend all this time just trying to feel alive.'

'Nurture' is a wonderous field under a clear blue sky within the midst of Spring. Robinson's production is a stunning aura that uplifts while his vocals, from raw to processed, inspires perseverance and self-worth. 

Best Track(s): Something Comforting, Lifelike, Musician, Look At the Sky.

8/10