If you haven’t listened to hip hop/R&B duo NxWorries (pronounced “no worries”) before, you’ll probably find yourself trying to compare them to bigger names such Frank Ocean and Kendrick Lamar. Like Frank Ocean and Kendrick Lamar, NxWorries brings something new to the hip hop/R&B scene, and the first time listening to their new album Yes Lawd! you may only take note of the tracks that share similarities with the sounds of more popular artists. However, Yes Lawd! becomes a truly valuable and novel album when you take the time to listen to it again and appreciate the substance and interweaving of genres that NxWorries moves through not just with ease, but with enjoyment.
With 19 tracks, NxWorries covers a lot of ground with Yes Lawd! While some tracks, such as “Livvin” and “Get Bigger/Do U Luv” explore themes of success and ambition, the majority of the album is an homage to modern romance. From the pleasant surprises of new love expounded on in tracks like “Starlite” and “Best One” to examining the harsh realities of staying faithful in tracks like “What More Can I Say”, Yes Lawd! doesn’t spare detail or offer any particular opinion in support of one side or the other- they simply present the facts using soulful vocals, honest lyrics, and diverse instrumentals. Yes Lawd! also addresses, through tracks such as “H.A.N.”, some of the negative behavioral aspects that have become definitive of the modern dating world, particularly how aversion to commitment has become an excuse for many people to treat each other poorly.
NxWorries also successfully incorporates elements from different eras of music into their modern sound to create songs that are simultaneously nostalgic and new. From 60s ballad “Jodi” to the 70s soul of the previously mentioned “H.A.N” to the 80s synth of “Scared Money”, NxWorries retains the best of each era without failing to take advantage of modern advances in music. The influence from past decades is never overpowering, nor is it ever the best part of any song. It is there to enrich the track without taking away from the novelty of NxWorries’ song writing, and it is successful in creating a richer, more multi-dimensional piece of work than would have been possible without it.
At the very least, Yes Lawd! is an entertaining album. Even if you don’t feel the need to listen beyond a surface level, NxWorries has produced a fun listening experience that is enjoyable at any level of engagement. However, Yes Lawd! is, in my opinion, a well-executed album that is worth taking the time and effort to understand.
Loading ...