While some may argue that the underground has been treading in sludge as of late, there are many hopeful futures for a variety of newer up and coming acts. However, many of those that were the founding fathers of the new confines of SoundCloud have elevated themselves close to star status. While the true artists have solidified themselves as authentic musicians away from the cliche niche of a ‘SoundCloud rapper’, nothing, nowhere. has done so in ways never before seen and demonstrates his artistry masterfully on his new album ruiner.
From his parents’ basement to being recognized by The New York Times as having “scathingly beautiful hip-hop-influenced emo music,” Joe Mulherin (the shadow behind the pseudonym nothing, nowhere.) has fluidly become an impervious name throughout the underground. Mulherin has ultimately leveled up from his past experience to become more than just an underground king, but a soon to be chart topping originator.
The label backed sophomore album of nothing,nowhere., ruiner begins with intro track “outsider,” a pad lead breath featuring a sample of Ted Peshaks short film “Shy Guy.” The narrating sample defines who nothing,nowhere. currently is in his musical career, being an outsider of sorts, for he does not conform to the traditional pocket of what a conventional genre defined artist is. The overall set tone for the opening track is a perfect beginning to an album lead narrative filled with grief, confusion and loneliness.
While “outsider” sets the story, track “reminiscer” shifts the album into drive. The second track is a soulful tale of being all alone while longing for a lost loved. Mulherin softly croons out a barren confession that he can not be saved from who he has become.
It’s too late to save my sanity // You can’t expect me to change // It’s too late to save my sanity // Some things just won’t be the same
Primary producer and frequent collaborator Jay Vees is a beam of purity (as well as intensity) throughout the album and helps elevate Mulherin to an original new pocket throughout the album. As “better” begins, Jay Vee (along with co production from underground mystique falls for this song) asserts his position as an innovative key to the nothing,nowhere. brand. The song is one of the most ‘rap’ songs Mulherin has performed to date, and showcases his ability to seamlessly battle through cleanly produced tracks with penetratingly real lyrics.
Fifth song “hammer” will leave some of the older nothing,nowhere. fans scratching their heads wondering where the soft kid with an acoustic guitar went. Progression and exemplary design all around went into this song from an 808 inducing beat to a braggadocios bar after bar jab perfectly delivered by Mulherin.
CDG on my feet when I hop out // Me and Jay on the beat, that’s a bop now// Whole squad going dumb like it’s summer school // I got hits got smashes like a drummer do
Title track “ruiner” is another pinnacle showcase of nothing,nowhere. and his ability to culminate his pure artistry in an excelling form. Mulherins emcee abilities are highlighted atop the strum of his own guitar, and are accompanied by classically written lyrics that culminate into a song about the nothing, nowhere journey. From not leaving his own bed, Mulherin is now at war with his newfound fame calling out his own executives, anxiety and lost love.
Evoking and confession filled “sayer” begins with a Jay Vee and Erik Ron lead reverb infused guitar pluck, and prepares the listeners for the chills to soon follow. Nothing,nowhere. rhymes about how he misses his once astonishing lover and soon begins to question the motive behind their once reciprocated ‘love’. Mulherins rhythm becomes vulnerably real over the beautifully combined drums but soon he leaves behind his poetic stanza for a powerful vocal range of repetition:
There’s nothing to say now // There’s nothing to say now // There’s nothing to say now // There’s nothing to say, nothing to say
While every song deserves praise for lyrical content and conjoined perfectly production, “vacanter” is a tune to bop to. Both Jay Vee and nothing,nowhere. demonstrate their combined knowledge of hip-hop through a concisely produced, bumping track. Whether in the car or at the gym, “vacanter” is a track that should be remembered from this project as an intentional ‘no fucks given’ record filled to the brim with desolate emptiness.
Reminiscent and snare driven song “changer” could be argued as the most well put together jam on the project, whether it be structurally or even lyrically. The song itself flows as seamlessly as Mulherin as he ponders on about his hometown and twenty five years of memories. Mulherin struggles to come to terms with the idea of time but ultimately seems to accepts that it can never be altered no matter how much he may want to change his own past mistakes.
Like why does the time fly? // How come as I grow I keep feeling less alive? // How come all I see is the past when I shut my eyes? // Man, I thought it would last, but it passed me by
To close the album, “waster” brings together nothing,nowhere. and an acoustic guitar alone. nothing,nowhere. utters phrase after phrase of soul baring lyrics, leaving the audience to translate an interpretation of hurt before the song and album fade away.
nothing,nowhere.’s album ruiner is arguably his most consistent and thought-provoking body of work to date. The album is laden with emotion and keeps the original vibe of heart from what some would say the ‘old nothing,nowhere.’ while at the same time introducing new elements never before heard. ruiner seems to be the cementation of talented capabilities and a long, prosperous future ahead.