Super Nelward 2015: A Funky, Pixelated Odyssey You Didn’t Know You Needed
Alright, let’s talk about Super Nelward 2015. This self-released gem from Nelward dropped back in 2015 and is basically a love letter to anyone who grew up with chiptune bleeps blaring out of their Game Boy while trying (and failing) to beat the final boss. It’s got funk, it’s got soul, it’s got electronic vibes that sound like they were cooked up in some retro arcade fever dream. And yeah, there’s even a track called “Funky’s Revenge,” which should tell you everything you need to know.
First off, kudos to Nelward for wearing all the hats here—producer, composer, janitor, probably snack-fetcher too. The album clocks in at 17 tracks, but don’t worry, this isn’t one of those bloated concept albums where every song feels like filler. Nope, each track has its own quirky personality, like characters in an RPG you’re way too invested in.
Let me zoom in on two tracks that really stuck with me because, honestly, I can’t stop humming them. First up: “Hamster Village.” Oh man, this one hits different. Imagine if your childhood pet hamster suddenly gained sentience and decided to throw a block party. That’s what this track sounds like—a whirlwind of chirpy synths and groovy basslines that make you wanna grab a tiny boombox and join the rodent rave. There’s something oddly nostalgic about it, like remembering summer days spent indoors playing old-school video games. Or maybe that’s just me projecting my weird life onto the music. Either way, it slaps.
Then there’s “Autumn’s Dawn.” Whoa, okay, this one flips the script entirely. If “Hamster Village” is a sugar rush, “Autumn’s Dawn” is more like sipping hot cocoa by a campfire as leaves crunch underfoot. It’s slower, moodier, and gives off major cozy vibes. The melody kind of sneaks up on you, wrapping you in warm blankets of sound before you realize you’ve been staring wistfully out the window for ten minutes. It’s proof that Nelward doesn’t just do high-energy bangers; he can also tug at your heartstrings without being cheesy about it. Well, mostly.
Other standouts include “Boss Rush 3 - Boss Means Business,” which lives up to its name by delivering pure adrenaline-pumping chaos, and “Rad Giraffe,” which might be the most fun you’ll have listening to a giraffe-themed tune ever. Seriously, how does someone even come up with that?
So, what’s the takeaway here? Super Nelward 2015 is a delightful mess of genres and styles that shouldn’t work together but somehow do. It’s funky, it’s emotional, it’s slightly unhinged—and honestly, isn’t that what great art is supposed to be? Listening to this album feels like discovering a hidden level in a game you thought you’d mastered. Except instead of extra lives or power-ups, you get killer tunes and existential thoughts about hamsters.
Final note: If Nelward ever releases a follow-up, I hope it comes with a free plushie version of Rad Giraffe. Just sayin’.
