Pryor Stroud: Nosaj Thing’s upcoming EP may be entitled No Reality, but the reality conjured up in “N R 2” is instantly identifiable: meandering, zero-gravity synth tendrils float over a minimalist bass-drum backbeat, merging together into the aural analogue of the centrifuge in Stanley Kubrick’s seminal 2001: A Space Odyssey. Except now there’s no exit to this centrifuge; it turn and turns unremittingly without giving its sole inhabitant — Dr. David Bowman or, in this case, you — any chance of escape. [6/10]
Chris Ingalls: I love the warmth of the keyboard bed, which provides a nice juxtaposition to the loud synth bleats that pop up intermittently. I almost wish the whole thing were more ambient and the dance beat was removed completely, but what I like about this song is very pleasant, emitting a warm, friendly (yet edgy) vibe. [7/10]
Emmanuel Elone: “N R 2” offers some pretty cool electronic sounds, but not much else. The beat is decent, and the snares and synths are good, but “N R 2” is too ethereal and cloudy to be as hard-hitting as its hefty snares and groove want you to think. Certainly, the airy atmosphere gives more texture to the synths, and the drums feel more bouncy as well, but it takes away anything from the overall immediacy of the song, leaving it flaccid and dull at certain moments. “N R 2” may not be a bad song per se, but it also isn’t a track that’s worth revisiting, let alone remembering. [5/10]
Steve Horowitz: “Reality used to be a friend of mine”, as P.M. Dawn used to sing, but the “No Reality” envisioned by the song and video just has a groove going for it. That said, the groove has a good flow. It goes beyond the ambient, but not much more. The effect may get one moving, but the track never takes us anywhere in particular. [6/10]
Jordan Blum: The video could certainly be more creative and interesting, but I can’t say it doesn’t reflect the music well, as that’s almost equally repetitive and unimaginative. Both are fine as 30-second distractions, but neither warrants any more attention, and there are definitely more worthwhile entries into this style. [4/10]
Chad Miller: Enjoyable track. I like how subtly the different pieces entered and left the track. Unfortunately, the track does tend to wear out a little by the second half though. Subtle changes are cool, but when there barely anything happening throughout a four minute song, it starts to feel a little stale. [6/10]
Nosaj Thing‘s new EP, No Reality, releases 8 April via Innovative Leisure.
SCORE: 5.66