Devin Townsend is an artist who really by no means fails, as the entirety he is executed is no less than excellent (if no longer nice or odd). Even if his output is quite acquainted and secure, it is nonetheless slightly rewarding on account of how inspirational, adventurous, and delightfully feature it’s. Such was once the case with 2022’s Lightwork – which had the misfortune of following his all-encompassing inventive masterpiece, 2019’s Empath – and now the similar is correct for 2024’s PowerNerd. That mentioned, it is arguably awesome (but in large part identical) to Lightwork, turning in any other remarkably shifting and exploratory assortment that packs few surprises however a number of middle and leisure.
Naturally, some musicians from Lightwork seem right here, too, together with drummer Darby Todd, keyboardist Deigo Tejeida, and guitarist Mike Keneally; plus, Townsend is joined through bassist Jean Savoie and vocalists Tanya Ghosh, Jamie Jasta, and Aman Khosla. Consistent with Townsend, PowerNerd was once “written with an excessively transparent intent” of going towards his same old tendency of being too analytical/important and meticulous along with his paintings. He explains:
“I believe that I generally had been — and it is not all the time been a nasty factor — however I have a tendency to overthink issues so much. And I am getting in reality difficult with issues that occasionally… no less than at this time I felt like that wasn’t what I sought after to do, so I gave myself parameters for PowerNerd. I gave myself twelve days to put in writing it, and 1 day to rehearse it. Darby Todd got here in from the United Kingdom after which two and a part days to trace drums, bass and guitar. And if it was once not to paintings it might had been a colossal failure. However I am satisfied to mention it is exceptionally heavy, and exceptionally cool.”
Somewhere else, he provides that forcing himself to be markedly carefree but inflexible referring to his creativity and productiveness, allowed him to “find a way to be a bit of extra direct with what it’s that [he’s] seeking to do” and “lower via one of the crucial meandering.” To his credit score, PowerNerd is a concise and centered experience that embodies (however does not considerably adjust or reinvigorate) Townsend‘s one-of-a-kind brilliance.
As an example, the hole name monitor mixes trademark Townsend encouragements and eccentricities. In particular, its hyperactive tempo, raucous perspective, sing-along hooks, and orchestral manufacturing are paired with inspirational lyrics akin to “Some of these issues we are saying to ourselves / Time to upward thrust / Put that shit at the shelf / All the ones years spent down in a hollow / Time for lifestyles and rock and roll!” For the reason that he defines a “powernerd” as “a complete fucking badass” who “via tenacity and perseverance, became what society might deem as a ‘weak point’ right into a superpower,” it indubitably does justice to its namesake, and it is a triumphant strategy to being in a couple of tactics.
From there, the LP bounces round recognizable templates with a number of panache and keenness. Particularly, there may be the Terria-esque symphonic fury and introspective gentleness of “Falling Aside”; the Sky Blue-esque shimmering empowerments of “Glacier” and “Gratitude”; the Synchestra-esque danceable flamboyances of “Ruby Quaker”; the Ghost-esque ambient peacefulness of “Goals of Gentle”; and the Transcendence-esque cosmic catharsis of “Jainism.”
After all, these types of comparisons are intended as sure observations quite than main criticisms. In truth, the truth that Townsend can evoke such a lot of sides of his prior paintings whilst nonetheless providing really extensive intrigue and pride is a testomony to his range, self belief, and originality. In different phrases, PowerNerd undeniably remembers a few of its predecessors, however bearing in mind that Townsend‘s discography is very various but splendidly singular, the ones parallels hardly ever get in the way in which of what he is seeking to accomplish. (K, k, “Glacier” does resemble “Ahead of We Die” a tad an excessive amount of.)
It is usually value noting that PowerNerd incorporates a handful of Townsend‘s maximum charmingly fun moments in slightly a while, together with declarations of “I like petting the cat,” “I have were given giant balls,” and “Espresso, espresso, I like that espresso” all the way through “PowerNerd,” “Knuckledragger,” and “Ruby Quaker,” respectively. Those bits turn out that Townsend stays utterly in a position to making listeners snicker at goofy humor in-between his deeply pleasing dives into existentialism and lifestyles confirmation. (Finally, it is the seriousness and the silliness of lifestyles that makes it value residing, proper?)
Like Lightwork earlier than it, PowerNerd quite repeats prior Townsend tactics and messages; on the other hand, its echoes of previous data are hardly ever problematic for the reason that subject matter is so rattling enticing and endearing. For sure, Townsend nonetheless will get heaps of mileage out of the uniquely philosophical and musical worlds he is crafted, making PowerNerd any other beautifully entertaining and intellectually, emotionally pleasurable addition to his catalog.
