Nine Inch Nails – Nine Inch Noize (Album Review)

An electronic rock collab between Nine Inch Nails and Boys Noize.

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TOP 5

5. Vessel

“Vessel” by Nine Inch Nails is a track originally from their 2007 album Year Zero. The song tells the story of a soldier intoxicated by a government-administered mind-control drug. This version keeps the semi-distorted sound of the original while adding to its electronic edge. It stands as one of the more upbeat tracks, even while carrying an unsettling vibe that gets your heart pumping.

4. The Warning

“The Warning” is one of Nine Inch Nails’ 2007 tracks from Year Zero. I like that, despite its electronic sound, the song leans on a simpler beat. That simplicity actually works in its favor, giving the track a stronger and more focused vibe. Lyrically and emotionally, the song comes from a place of desperation, fear, and impending doom. There is an urgency to act, almost like a warning siren against control, oppression, or looming danger. In a strange way, it feels relevant in every timeline.

3. Copy of a

I feel like this one is probably the most different-sounding track on the album. “Copy of a” is from Nine Inch Nails’ 2013 album Hesitation Marks. The song explores an identity crisis, touching on the loss of individuality and a lingering sense of emptiness, which I found personally compelling. It taps into a very real struggle that most people wrestle with at least once in life, which is why I get excited when a song pushes you to think and feel on a deeper, personal level.

2. As Alive As You Need Me To Be

“As Alive As You Need Me To Be” is one of Nine Inch Nails’ newest songs from their latest album TRON Ares: Divergence. I love the beat and the chorus in this version. There is more passion in the performance, which makes it even more enjoyable to listen to.

The song explores the idea of being used, particularly through the soullessness of artificial life, questioning what it is alive for, only to exist “as alive as you need me to be” for someone else’s benefit. Sadly, that is an experience some humans can relate to as well. I also love that this version gives off strong live concert vibes.

1. Closer

“Closer” is one of Nine Inch Nails’ defining hits from the 1990s. This version of the song feels almost sensual, but with a dark undercurrent running through it. I love the dual themes and contrasting vibes, balancing obsessive, primal desire with deep self-loathing and emotional brokenness. That tension is what gives the track so much power. The original became one of the band’s biggest songs for a reason, and this newest re-release is a sharp reminder of why it still resonates.

SONG-BY-SONG RATING

1. Intro – Nine Inch Noize Version (5/5)

2. Vessel – Nine Inch Noize Version (4/5)

3. She’s Gone Away – Nine Inch Noize Version (4/5)

4. Heresy – Nine Inch Noize Version (4/5)

5. Parasite – Nine Inch Noize Version (4/5)

6. Copy of a – Nine Inch Noize Version (4/5)

7. Me, I’m Not – Nine Inch Noize Version (4/5)

8. Closer – Nine Inch Noize Version (4.5/5)

9. The Warning – Nine Inch Noize Version (4.5/5)

10. Memorabilia – Nine Inch Noize Version (4/5)

11. Came Back Haunted – Nine Inch Noize Version (3.5/5)

12. As Alive As You Need Me To Be – Nine Inch Noize Version (4.5/5)

RGM RATING

(83%)

Nine Inch Noize gives us a collaboration between Nine Inch Nails and Boys Noize. Nine Inch Nails is a multi-decade alternative rock band that has often incorporated electronic elements into its music, making this a natural pairing. Boys Noize, known for his work as a producer, DJ, and songwriter, steps in here to put his own spin on that already flexible sound.

The album is filled with reworked versions of past Nine Inch Nails songs, giving familiar material a new identity through heavier electronic textures and updated energy. It is no secret that I am not the biggest fan of electronic music, but I can still appreciate the creativity behind this project and the versatility Nine Inch Nails shows throughout it. I also particularly enjoyed the live-feeling sound that kicks off the album, which gives the project an immediate pulse and energy.

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