Super producer Pharrell Williams’ side-project band N.E.R.D brings their alternative hip-hop sound to 2017 with their new record, “No One Ever Really Dies,” a batch of politically-charged anthems that, despite their serious subject matter, maintain Pharrell’s classic groove.

Like N.E.R.D’s previous work, “No One Ever Really Dies” strips Pharrell’s signature sound of its mainstream qualities and indulges in his idiosyncratic production, superimposing hip-hop drums, funky electric guitars and bizarre vocal samples to craft a Jenga tower of sonic dissonance that, while unusual, is both effective and compelling.

The album’s jagged sound is consistently unpredictable, which makes it difficult to fully engage with every track. There are moments that flirt with the mainstream, such as Rihanna’s iconic rap on lead single “Lemon,” but for the most part, “No One Ever Really Dies” is far too quirky for radio.

“No One Ever Really Dies” can be listened to at two distinguished levels of depth: One the surface, “No One Ever Really Dies” is a zany hip-hop album that subverts mainstream tropes in favor of genre-melding experimentation. But in shifting production to the periphery, “No One Ever Really Dies” is revealed to be a layer cake of political messages, most explicitly touching on islamophobia and police brutality.

While “Lemon” is the clear standout track, the album doesn’t host any obvious duds. Some tracks are more memorable than others, but overall, “No One Ever Really Dies” is an entertaining listen throughout.

For those interested in diving into N.E.R.D’s wormhole of alternative hip-hop, “No One Ever Really Dies” is currently available on all media platforms for purchase and streaming, including iTunes/Apple Music, Spotify and Tidal.

“No One Ever Really Dies:” ★★★★