According to Pitchfork, N.E.R.D have introduced a new album featuring André 3000, Kendrick Lamar, and M.I.A., Ed Sheeran and more. Titled No_One Ever Really Dies, the American funk rock band unveiled the album at their first show in three years last night at ComplexCon. The group just came out with a Rihanna-featured single called “Lemon,” their first song since 2014’s “Squeeze Me.” No-One Ever Really Dies will mark N.E.R.D’s–formed by members Pharrell Williams, Shay Haley and Chad Hugo–first album since their 2010 LP Nothing.
“ComplexCon, make some motherfucking noise. We are here right now because no one ever really dies,” Pharrell declared about halfway through the hour-and-fifteen-minute set. “The album isn’t coming out tomorrow. We are giving it to you. You got it before anybody else did.” What most thought was going to be a concert turned into a prodigious album listening party with N.E.R.D there to witness it all from the back of the stage. They watched the crowd pour in across the venue floor dancing and parading to their new tunes, and at the end of the show there was an encore performance of the song “Lemon.” It was a treat for everyone who attended due to the surprise of it turning out to be an exclusive show.
The eclectic rock-oriented trio haven’t stirred up much music since their work with N.E.R.D in the early 2000’s. The group largely went silent as Pharrell became a solo mainstream star. He was recently featured on a Calvin Harris song “Feels” along with Katy Perry and Big Sean. Hugo has gratified himself working with less established talents such as Kenna, Earl Sweatshirt, The Internet, and the Malaysian singer/songwriter Yuna, as well as scoring Manny, a documentary about the acclaimed boxer Manny Pacquiao.
The album’s release date has not yet been announced. See the album’s tracklist below.
No_One Ever Really Dies tracklist:
1. Deep Down Body Thirst
2. Lemon [ft. Rihanna]
3. Voilà [ft. Gucci Mane and Wale]
4. 1000 [ft. Future]
5. Don’t Don’t Do It [ft. Kendrick Lamar]
6. Kites [ft. Kendrick Lamar and M.I.A.]
7. ESP
8. Lightning Fire Magic Prayer
9. Rollinem 7’s [ft. André 3000]
10. Lifting You [ft. Ed Sheeran]
11. Secret Life of Tigers
UPDATE (11/22): Pharrell has revealed in a Tweet the release date and album art for the N.E.R.D.’s upcoming album. It will be released December 15, 2017.
NO_ONE EVER REALLY DIES. DECEMBER 15 pic.twitter.com/iMWSIPVns8
— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) November 22, 2017