The First Drop: HLSB, Nexus’s Album Release and Artistic Statement

Rediscovering a revitalized form and following a meticulous selection process with the aid of the artistic team, a total of 11 tracks were chosen to constitute the tracklist of the first album, published on 24th March 2023.

The decision to identify the album with the intricate title S(he) Be(lie)ve(s) didn’t arise from a random juxtaposition of words, but from a deliberate artistic intention in order to convey the conviction that there’s no objective, static truth, but rather a conglomerate of truths that are subject to change.

The use of both the pronouns “he” and “she” is meant to imply that regardless of whose perspective it is, every individual has the right to construct their own truth based on the events happening in the world and to discern what they believe to be true from what they believe to be a lie.

At the culmination of all these profound reflections, the album ended up posing an ongoing question to its own producers, which is intended to be presented also to the entire audience willing to listen:
“Are you truly certain about what you believe in?”

The track list consists of:

1- Away Alone

Opening track of the album S(he) Be(lie)ve(s), designed as an intro to immerse the listener in the underworld atmosphere surrounding the project, setting the stage for a story across multiple space-time cycles.

As an esoteric instrumental composition rich in suspense, it aims to establish an initial bond, pulling into Nexus’ sonic universe as a one-way ticket to the soundscape of this album-journey.

Dark, brooding, almost noir, this form of expression draws on sensory elements like tight drum patterns and low-end pads. The rhythm stays entirely unpredictable, with each instrument making its entrance unexpectedly, fully dedicated to carry the listener away.

2- Believe

A layered composition that follows the intro in its instrumental nature, yet shifts toward hopeful chords and melancholic touches, brought to life by a multitude of virtual instruments almost forming an alien, digital orchestra.

The sample that sparked the song, heard at the beginning of both build-ups, fractures and reshapes itself, immediately taking center stage. It guides the other synths in crafting melodies and counter melodies around, within a future bass framework.

Even without lyrics, Believe carries a clear message to the listener, but also to oneself, that in life we must strip away the unnecessary to truly believe in a dream worth making real. In Nexus’ vision, the greatest enemy of this pursuit is the consumer-driven society, built on the established model of the “ideal citizen”. Growing up, studying, working, and starting a family are the subliminally imposed steps, however by the time we realize what true passions have been flowing inside us all along, it may already be too late. Since we cannot turn back time, we must convince ourselves as early as possible to shape our own path by following dreams, not the propaganda of leaders or a nation.

3- Blue Sky War

A track projected into a parallel universe, where factions across different planets of this star system are at war for supremacy over the celestial ecosystem. The sonic composition draws from Balkan influences, enriched with ambient elements that serve as connective threads (crackling fire, impact of a meteorite), creating a fully immersive surround vision of this musical universe.

The lyrics unfold like a story, beginning with the protagonist’s cry for help. She finds herself entangled in a dangerous adventure, leading to a dark pact that allows her to escape the space conflict at the cost of facing a single opponent and surrendering her heart in exchange for an artificial one, so she may no longer suffer the pain of warring nations.

The metaphor of seeking one’s destiny continues in this chapter, shaping the soundscape with a clear intent to break away from conventional electronic music aesthetics and disrupt expectations.

4- Let U Go

The first piece of advice we receive when we go through the end of a meaningful experience or relationship is to simply let that person go and erase the memory by replacing it with something or someone else. This song offers an alternative to that recurring pattern in life, suggesting a way to make up with the past by symbolically mending the lost connection, closing the loop of emotional pain not with a harsh cut, but with a soothing form of closure.

The track plays with contrasts, shifting between sharp, high-pitched elements and deep, grounded tones, mirroring the ups and downs of life. Structurally, it balances between the worlds of pop and EDM, driven by a pulsating rhythm filled with introspective pauses.

The lyrics unfold in distinct sections, each expressing a different conceptual layer, with the Danish word “skam” (meaning shame) at the core. This term echoes throughout the song, reinforcing the idea that the shame we feel when a relationship ends badly has no real reason to exist. Even if the experience led to pain and despair, it should be reevaluated by focusing on the positive aspects rather than feeling ashamed of the moments shared, even the most intimate ones.

5- Nymph

The track Nymph, completed by the subtitle Let Me Be Your Melody, was one of the first demos created by the producer duo. Developed from 2015 until its release, it underwent a meticulous stylistic evolution essential to crafting a piece that would stand as a manifesto for the Nexus music project. In its final version, it features the vocals of local artist Montie, whose sublime melody naturally intertwines with the harmonic spaces of the instrumental. Her literary talent also played a role in refining the lyrics, with words and phrasing that shine with poetic clarity.

The song draws from the bucolic imagery of Greek mythology, immersing delicate and evocative electronic sounds within a narrative. The protagonist, a frightened and lost nymph, resides in her untouched forest until it is crossed by a mysterious being eager to uncover her deepest essence. As a half-immortal, half-earthly creature (born from a hybrid lineage) she had always lived in solitude, avoiding human contact out of fear and distrust. Her kind had long been subject to unwanted attention, often escalating into dangerous physical violence at the hands of the Greek people. Yet, the trust she gradually chooses to give to the unknown visitor blossoms into the song’s chorus: a wish to make her voice an immortal melody. In return, she receives a solemn promise to be protected for a lifetime.

This song encapsulates the essence of Nexus. Emotion, refined lyricism, the evocation of a fantasy world detached from modern reality, and the patience to truly listen to the nature of those around us, free from the distractions of a frenetic world. Understanding others’ needs generates an empathetic energy that inevitably returns to us, ultimately helping us grow. With newfound emotional depth, we become ready to step into the world, carrying forward a culture of well-being and universal values.

6- You & Me

Amid the amplified electronic chaos of teenage stories from middle and high school years, we learn how good it feels to be chosen by someone to be their soulmate in any activity or adventure. Feeling incredibly special fuels a perspective to dream about bonds and relationships, hoping with all our hearts that they will last forever. It’s no coincidence that the connections formed at this stage in life often remain the strongest, staying with us for years to come.

The track You & Me, even through its lead vocal synth, wishes to inspire those who listen to embrace that feeling of inner peace and hold onto it as much as possible. Because in the end it is this sensation that will help us feel good about ourselves, allowing us to respect and love who we are.

The lyrics, intentionally simple, revolve around a single repeated idea shaped into a lasting emblem by the artists. Spending entire days and long periods of our lives with someone we deeply care about is an essential ingredient for our mental and emotional balance, fostering a continuous sense of well-being over time.

7- Uncountable Voices

Mostly instrumental, with vocal samples recorded by female voices in the studio, this track was born from the idea of creating an anthem to electronic music in its purest, universal form. The concept of “uncountable” (referring to indefinite elements that cannot be numerically measured) aims to make this particular sound linger in memory, free from rigid categorization, serving only the purpose of conveying the emotions sparked by its uplifting and inspiring tones.

In this case, the song itself does not carry a specific message. Instead, the producers’ intention is to preserve these sounds over time, recognizing their power to bring comfort and joy when recalled in a special moment, where music becomes the key to unlock a unique kind of magic that wouldn’t exist otherwise.

8- Found U

An intimate and multi-layered track, this piece continues the deep introspective journey exploring the hidden depths beneath the surface that everyone sees. Both in sound and lyrics, it carries a sense of legacy, so something to leave behind for the listener at this point in the album.

The standout elements are the vocal samples that blend with the synths, alongside the lead voice that sets the stage in the pre-choruses, building tension before fully exploding in the choruses, where all the essential moments blow out.

The deeply felt lyrics touch on multiple themes: reconnecting with people once thought lost, conflicts with friends we believed to be genuine, the contrast between expectations and reality, and the kind of inner pain that lingers, unlike physical wounds that eventually heal.

At its core, the song reflects on the ongoing search for soulmates, not just in a romantic sense, but as kindred spirits we are destined to meet throughout life. This idea subtly connects to the well-known “Six Degrees of Separation” theory, offering a perspective on our intrinsic desire to form connections and build relational pathways.

9- Sheer Falling

One of the oldest demos from the Nexus project, recorded in 2014, this track remains among the least altered from its original form to the final version released on the album.

The result is an EDM-driven piece with a progressive temperament, enriched by melancholic and nostalgic undertones, which are an unmistakable signature of the artists. The final version preserves a vintage sonic texture while still aiming for a timeless feel through its sound design and musical intent.

The lyrics explore disillusionment with the world, told from the perspective of young boys and girls who, as they grow, come to understand the true nature of humanity, unveiling the corruption of the soul and the issues in everything around them. They soon realize that the dysfunctions of society stem from adults who have consciously chosen “evil,” driven only by self-interest.

At its core, the song delivers a powerful artistic message through the metaphor of facing the world without fear, even in the midst of a storm. It pushes the call to challenge the status quo in our own way, embracing the idea that we can, if possible, build a better world guided by our emotions and evolving conscience.

10- Right Time

Another deeply introspective track with minimalistic elements, yet rich in meaning, connected sonically and vocally to Found U. The concept behind “right times” is linked to countless variables, but the original meaning as intended by the artists refers to the best times in life, which inevitably occur at different stages for each person – whether in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood.

The more pop-centric chorus stands out as a focal point, helping to imprint the central idea of the song: not to forget the best moments and to find ways to live them again, even in later stages of life.

The lyrics, in their entirety, focus consistently on the desire to use our memory and imagination in a sweet, positive way for our lives – striving to never forget the happiest memories. Despite the scars from painful moments in the past, the song expresses the will to fight against staying trapped in negativity. It represents a path toward overcoming suffering and building a personal journey of redemption.

11- Touch

An intimate and personal outro track. The composition, avant-garde in nature, features the piano as the main element, surrounded by a few other decorative elements that gradually build within the harmonic progression. Unlike the intro, here the drums do not make an appearance.

The emotion conveyed in this song reaches an emotional surrender from the listener within the sound generated by a nexus, one of those primal melodies designed to establish a deep connection with the listener, due to its distinctive emotional frequencies and ability to evoke certain feelings.

Created from a pure piano that sounds as a final theme, the sonata aims to accompany the human soul in smooth and deep reflections, as if the listener was being cradled by a floating boat in a calm sea. The most intense moments of the song revisit the most vivid parts of a dream, as body and mind move in harmony.