Nerve previews sonic shift via new single + video ‘Wasted’

Photo by Tannaz Shaab
September 30 2022

PRAISE FOR Nerve

“One of Australia’s most respected rappers”

Redbull Music

“The artist with a midas touch”

Complex AU

“A brazen rapper, producer, multitasker and communal champion”

NME

“Doubled in popularity and notoriety”

Acclaim

“Nerve has strong-armed himself a place amongst hip-hop’s most dynamic and forward-thinking names of today”

Pilerats

“On his latest EP, Nerve switches the tone, a project that showcases equal parts his diversity and ‘finger in every pie’ ability”

Purple Sneakers

‘Wasted’ by Nerve is out now, buy/stream it here.

Today, Nerve unveils his latest offering, extending his sound and artistry further than ever before with ‘Wasted’. LISTEN + WATCH HERE.

Teased across his recent live show performances including a surprise Splendour In The Grass appearance and national tour supporting Aitch, ‘Wasted‘ sees Nerve propel his alternative rock influences into his own music for the first time. Not too distant sonically from his feature alongside DZ Deathrays on triple j’s Like A Version, of which he later toured nationally with, ‘Wasted‘ is a flux of guitars, keys, saxophones and more. A stadium-ready, instrumentally led release trading raps for gruff vocals, ‘Wasted‘ is Nerve‘s most melodic, unexpected release yet.

Speaking to the release, Nerve shares “This song kind of came out of nowhere for me. I wrote it all pretty much on the spot and the meaning of it didn’t make sense at first until I played it back a few times. Obviously, it sounds like a drinking song but more so it feels like a war between my heart and my brain. Every time my heart feels up my brain seems to find a way to undermine it and bring me back down. Sometimes it’s a good feeling and keeps me grounded but other times it’s debilitating and leaves you underselling yourself. The energy behind the chorus to me feels like letting go of the chokehold your logical side has over emotions and just existing in the present. In that moment everything is nothing and there is no anxiety and no fear.”

As Nerve thrusts himself deeper into his alt-rock impulses, this October he will support The Terrys national tour in the wake of his previous sets supporting Bliss N Eso, DZ Deathrays plus an A-Leage Grand Final performance with Tkay Maidza and Young Franco for their collaboration ‘Real Nice  (H.C.T.F)’. ‘Wasted’ follows the hyperactive ‘YUCK!‘ and assured ‘DFRT‘ which found praise across triple j, Complex, NME, MTV, RAGE, MTV and more.

Nerve‘s artistry is a balance of his loquacious nature and consistent ability to multi-task. In just 5 years his rise continues to be nothing short of exponential, dominating so-called Australia’s rap underground and his consistent presence at main stages across the country. Looking to the future, Nerve vows to continue to deliver anything possible while staying true to his roots bound in high energy. Stay tuned for his next experimental step.

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