Nrvs: I Like You 
(Attawalpa Records)
Streaming
London-based post-punk dystopian outfit, Nrvs, release their new EP, I Like You, which brings together a brand new song and some previous singles. And whilst their make up remains a mystery, there is little doubt that this collection of songs continues their dysfunctional musical journey into a world of disorder and disorientation with a 21st century punk attitude.
Nrvs are undoubtedly an unsettling bunch as they continue to expound on their thoughts around the current state of humanity and its relationship with planet earth. They also have a penchant for using sci-fi infused imagery in a series of videos to compliment the music all of which broadly depict the saga of an astronaut on a journey to the edge of the universe. Still running with the mission to shape “a nightmare-normal vision of the near future, that you can dance to” it remains to be seen what there ultimate endgame really looks like. But at least for now we can absorb the seismic rhythms and cosmic vibes from this new 4-track EP, unconventionally (for them) entitled I Like You.
I Like You kicks off the EP as their earliest single in this collection, conveying their more abrasive and hard-hitting post punk sound. With a narrative of two potential lovers trying to connect via smartphones, the band describe the song as follows, “I Like You is about how basic humans can be. Love songs, poems about suicide and Tinder … it all boils down to one thing: I like you, do you like me? – It’s the ultimate vulnerability!” Essentially, it’s a call to arms for all to rise up against the engulfment of our individual identity by corporate made tech like social media and globally dominant operating systems.
With Breeders, punk gives way to a more psychedelic and ethereal soundscape, all set to create a sense of unease. Breeders, is more of an industrial psyche ballad which is both compelling and unnerving in equal measures and is described as “a continuation of their explorations into social dislocation, ecological collapse and the dystopia of the ordinary”. The song was born out of a moment of spontaneity at the end of a long recording session and the sparser, ethereal feel is vividly conveyed through the sci-fi visuals depicting an astronaut’s psychedelic trip which takes her to the nether regions of a computer system. But its certainly not without its moments of chaos.
Scum reverts back to their minimalist post-punk roots with another powerful take, full of swagger and a spellbinding rhythm which takes us deeper into a world of disorder and disorientation as it once again focuses on the dysfunctional and the futility of human life. Backed by grunge-fueled guitars and glam-stomping drums, it’s a thought-provoking message which challenges your place in the world and the sheer futility of trying to make a difference within an increasingly dystopian environment. Whether our ultimate fate will be to escape from the nightmare-vision which Nrvs continue to promote, or we just fall into a spiral of continuous decline is once again left open to question as they declare “We’re the stupid look on your face, We’re the future of the human race”.
The Sane is the new song in this collection which closes the EP with its eerie start morphing into a metronomic beat which underpins a growing sense of intensity as the song progresses. The song focuses on the thin veil of relationships, vulnerability, and the surface only communications of the modern world. As for the video, the astronaut finds herself locked up in a prison and having to fight for her own sanity as she’s consistently attacked by an authoritative figure and their bully boys, only to eventually discover that the authority figure is of her own making – herself!
Ideologically, Nrvs are confrontational, unapologetic, existentially on the edge and uncompromising in their beliefs – all of which is reflected in their creative output, whether it’s music, visuals or their involvement in Extinction Rebellion and similar protests against the status quo. This has already had the impact of delaying the release of this EP until now following an enforced interlude after singer Ten Pence was detained at His Majesty’s pleasure for their deep-seated convictions. But there is little doubt that I Like You presents Nrvs as a credible and powerful musical force whose message and impact through their subliminal infusion should not be underestimated in the future. Uncompromising, irreverent and unnerving punk 21st century style.
You can stream the EP here.
You can find Nrvs on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter) and Spotify.
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All words by Ian Corbridge. You can find more of his writing at his author profile.
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Listening to the track Breeders, I’m kind of yearning to hear it smash into a good old fashioned four-to-the-floor beat, but also pleased that it doesn’t… Reminds me of Islet, which ain’t a bad thing…