Recommended Tracks: “Trainers”, “No More Secrets”, “I Wanna Reign Again”
Artists You May Like: Benny Sings, Silk Sonic, Portugal. The Man
The past year has brought on feelings and sensations that most of us cannot even begin to fathom. Perspectives have shifted, emotions have changed, and the people and things we value the most have more of an influence on the way we live life. Last year, indie electronic artist Nick Vivid experienced this type of change in the form of “intensive meditative pandemic soul searching,” which led him to his fourth studio album No More Secrets. Containing a mix of genres popular from the 60s all the way to the 90s, No More Secrets takes us on a musical adventure, as well as a spiritual adventure, that best represents who Nick is at this moment in time.
From the get-go, there is a relentless energy that follows us throughout the album. We feel it in the first few pings of the keyboard on “Trainers,” in the orbiting synth on “I Wanna Reign Again,” and in the gentle pulse of the shakers on “Blank Slate.” Feeding off this energy, Nick delivers sassy and sweet vocals that preserve the fire that the instrumentals radiate, bringing it to life in certain places and letting it simmer in others. All of the electricity keeps us engaged and excited as we move from track to track, curious and ready for more.
The mesmerizing music we hear on No More Secrets also holds our attention, giving us flashbacks to various decades. Nick incorporates elements of 60s funk music, as he does on “Hush Money (Straight to the Bribe),” along with 80s new wave, as he does on “No More Secrets.” Additionally, we get traces of 90s hip hop on tracks such as “We Can Ride,” and cascades of 70s glam rock on songs like “Ain’t Enough.” We definitely feel as if we are living in another time, another era, as trademark sounds of those decades come through in full force. Yet, as different as they sound, they fit together very well and touch on the music that Nick grew up with.
All the while, we get significant lessons and concepts about life that better inform our purpose. We hear about second chances on “Trainers,” for instance, where Nick compares the notion of starting over to using the cheat mode in video games. We also hear about the highs and lows in life, with “We Can Ride” touching on strength and “The Sky is Falling” focusing on loss. As eclectic as the songs are on the album, they all speak to the human experience.
On the whole, No More Secrets is a concise listen that gets right down to business. Everything is in its place, from the music that entertains to the lyrics that inform. We get the sense that these are some of Nick’s secrets and that he is well on his way in coming to terms with their sentiments. For now, his innermost thoughts are preserved in these timeless songs, waiting to be discovered by anyone, anywhere, at any time.
You can listen to No More Secrets on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.
Keep up with Nick Vivid: Instagram // Twitter // Facebook // Website
