With Nurture, BirdWorld take a bold step forward from their 2019 debut UNDA. The London/Oslo-based duo, made up of cellist Gregor Riddell and percussionist Adam Teixeira, have created a work that feels both intimate and expansive. Developed during the pandemic, while both became fathers, the album reflects on care, transformation, and human connection. Recorded at Flerbruket Studio with co-producer Øyvind Røsrud and enriched by guest musicians, the record balances acoustic warmth with electronic textures in a way that feels both personal and universal.
The opening track, Coroico, sets the tone with a delicate balance of rhythm and melody. The cello weaves through shifting percussion, evoking both place and memory. It’s a meditative piece, yet full of life. Opposite Hinges is more experimental, with sounds that feel slightly off-center but purposeful. It explores tension and release, almost like a conversation between opposing forces. Pinball Flare Lights is brighter, its rhythmic patterns flickering like light in motion. The energy feels playful, offering contrast to the more reflective moments. Lay of the Land is short but striking. At just over a minute, it captures a snapshot of mood—like a sketch left unfinished, but meaningful in its simplicity. At Her Whim returns to a more lyrical feel. The cello carries a gentle, emotional weight, while the percussion frames it with subtle detail. It feels intimate and searching. Let Sleeping Babies Lie, one of the singles, is tender and calming. The song’s title reflects its mood—soothing, protective, and rooted in the theme of care. Adbul (Peregrina) adds a different character with its flowing rhythm and layered textures. It feels like a song about movement, travel, and transformation. Siðe slows things down with a contemplative atmosphere. Sparse notes create space, allowing listeners to sit with the emotion rather than be carried by it.
Oisín Part I introduces a sense of storytelling. The textures shift gradually, like scenes unfolding. It has a cinematic quality, hinting at something larger. Til Liv builds on this, full of warmth and lyrical phrasing. It feels hopeful, like a tribute to new beginnings. Aisha continues in that emotional space, combining rich cello lines with rhythmic touches. It feels personal and heartfelt, perhaps one of the most moving pieces on the record. The album closes with Should You Ever Listen, a reflective and open-ended track. It leaves space for the listener, ending the record with a sense of quiet wonder. Taken together, Nurture is a thoughtful and emotionally rich album. BirdWorld manage to blend experimental sounds with human warmth, creating music that feels both innovative and deeply personal. It’s an album about care and change, and it resonates long after it ends.
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