NERO’s ‘Into the Unknown’ is a Masterful Electronic Album

NERO showcases their dynamic sonic eras and emboldens their legacy in the scene with the release of their third album, Into the Unknown.

Genre-defying trio NERO has long stood out as one of the impactful groups in the electronic music scene. Each era has left a lasting impact, from their early days in drum and bass and helping catapult dubstep into the forefront to exploring genres like UK Garage and more cinematic styles. NERO’s first two albums, Welcome Reality and Between II Worlds, weren’t just fan favorites; they influenced many artists along the way with their boundary-pushing sounds. Today, the UK-based trio has unveiled the final album in the trilogy, Into the Unknown.

Into the Unknown is the definition of a “long-awaited” and “highly-anticipated” release. These terms get thrown around far too often in the scene but hold true for this body of work from NERO. After all, Daniel Stephens, Joseph Ray, and Alana Watson hadn’t released a full-length album together since 2015, as they focused on solo projects and recentered their personal lives. A smattering of singles and a few surprises in recent years helped keep the spirit of NERO alive, and fans craving for them to reunite, and to say that this album satiates those cravings would be an understatement.

According to NERO, this album acts as a sonic bridge between their previous two albums, and with one listen, you’ll find yourself completely wrapped up in the world that the trio crafted. Found in its runtime are tunes that run the gamut from UK-inspired dance music to French-twinged electro and house, where the three artists have “always felt that [they] reside, stylistically.”

“The Unknown” acts as the introduction to this cyberpunk, dystopian realm that NERO calls home. A cinematic start and spoken word vocal opens the track before you’re sent plummeting straight into the depths of a dark drum and bass abyss. This callback to the origins of NERO, which were rooted in the genre, will strike a chord for anyone following them for over a decade but will surely gain nods from those who have flocked to the genre recently.

Drum and bass-centered tunes surface throughout the rest of Into the Unknown, prominently displayed on the previously released single “Blame You,” as well as “Talking to God,” both of which stand tall. Yet those aren’t the only bass-laden tunes that will eat you up and spit you back out. The “Unknown Version” of “Renegade,” NERO’s collaborative tune with RL Grime from 2022, offers a touch of trap energy into the mix, while the trio leans into the midtempo realm with “Draw Energy” and “Truth.”

Those yearning for the retro, synthwave-infused style NERO championed on their second album will get a taste of that sprinkled throughout. “Nowhere to Hide” is a tune you can’t help but fall in love with as you imagine yourself driving down the road of a neon-lit city with its vibrant flourishes guiding the way. Similar vibes permeate “Gravity” as Alana’s sultry voice belts out soul-stirring lyrics that pang deep in your heart, while “Solar” offers a genre-blending ride that wraps you in its embrace.

The final two tunes on Into the Unknown are also gorgeous. “Too Many Questions” is NERO at its finest, with evocative vocals, stunning synths, and a shuffling bassline that makes it perfect for any dancefloor. Meanwhile, “Running from Reality” powers forward with an energetic, larger-than-life ambiance that leans into those aforementioned French electro elements as the album closes with a celebratory aura. While it might mark the end of Into the Unknown, it offers hope that this won’t be the last time we’ll hear more music from NERO.

Listen to Into the Unknown on Spotify or your preferred streaming service, and stay tuned for more news from NERO by following them on social media.

Stream NERO – Into the Unknown on Spotify:

NERO – Into the Unknown – Tracklist:

The Unknown

Renegade (Unknown Version)

Nowhere to Hide

Draw Energy

Blame You

Gravity

Talking to God

Truth (Prologue)

Truth

Solar

Too Many Questions

Running from Reality

The Unknown (Theme)

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