As more and more people are finding out, the boys of N.E.R.D have been back in the studio. They’re not set on conquering the world, which is why it wasn’t put out in every public avenue — as of yet I don’t believe that there has even been a press release. In a nutshell, N.E.R.D are about the music and they have always been.

As soon as you as you so much mention N.E.R.D, most like to think they know all about the Neptunes and the beats they make etc etc. But my heart sinks a tiny bit at this because it means that N.E.R.D and their generating of real, good music is sometimes overshadowed by and because of the Neptunes phenomenon and what work they may have produced for others.

So get to know N.E.R.D! Most folks are finding them unrecognisably stimulating, raw, intoxicating, and energetic: quite simply a badass rock, funk, hip-hop band that can’t be boxed in.

With a succession of recent live shows, they’ve been performing edgy slants on some of their (and our) classics like Lapdance and introducing crowds to some of their newer creations, like Everybody Nose. Austin, Texas was the latest to experience NERD live at SXSW in the only way appropriate according to Pharrell: with N.E.R.D themselves.

And note to Pharrell: Girls also know how to get down in the mosh pits.