Nature / Nurture is the fourth studio album by the Australian hardcore punk band Clowns, released on 12 April 2019 through Fat Wreck Chords and Damaged Records, the band's own record label founded in 2018."Music | Damaged Record Co." Bandcamp. Retrieved 30 August 2026. It is the first album the band released throrugh Fat Wreck Chords, and the first album the band released after founding Damaged Records. It is structured into two segments – the "Nature" and "Nurture" segments – and is centered around contrast and duality, with the band describing the album as "an argument within itself".Goeman, Collin (10 April 2019). "Clowns double down on ‘Nature/Nurture’—listen" Alternative Press. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
Composition
Style Nature / Nurture has been described as a punk rock or hardcore punk album. Many critics have noted that the album had a more psychedelic sound than the band's previous albums, especially the latter part of the album, specifically mentioning the songs "May I Be Exhumed?" and "Nurture".Smith, Amy (9 April 2019). "No clowning around here, Melbourne quintet continue to push boundaries with great success." Hysteria Magazine. Retrieved 29 August 2026. Clowns made use of multiple instruments not conventionally used in punk music on Nature / Nurture, such as a sitar on "Nurture" and a keyboard on "1:19".Dumarey, Tom (10 April 2019). "Clowns - Nature/Nurture" Punkrocktheory.com. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
Lyrics Lyrically, Nature / Nurture revolves around contrast and juxtaposition, and the band has stated their idea "was to write songs that juxtapose each other thematically and represent ideas and themes that clash against one another". "Bland Is The New Black" conveyed the band's anti-conformity sentiments, and "I Wanna Feel Again" concerns (the singer's) mental health issues.
Reception
Nature / Nurture received positive feedback from critics, who praised Clowns for the more experimental and psychedelic sound of the album compared to their earlier work and to most punk rock music. Amy Smith, writing for Hysteria Magazine, gave the album a 9 out of 10 and stated "Nature / Nurture has the potential to do big things for the Australian music scene" and that it was "absolutely no surprise that it has already caught the attention of international alternative powerhouse Fat Wreck Chords." Aine Keogh, writing for Sound the Sirens, commended the band for having "progressed technically and creatively."Keogh, Aine (10 April 2019). "Clowns - Nature/Nurture". Sound the Sirens. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
The album was nominated for the 2019 ARIA Award for Best Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Album.Brandle, Lars (10 October 2019). "Tones And I leads 2019 ARIA Awards nominations". Billboard. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
Track listing
Personnel Stevie Williams – vocals William Robinson – guitar Jarrod Goon – guitar Hanny Tilbrook – bass guitar, background vocals Jake Laderman – drums Mikey Young - mastering Jez Giddings – producing, recording
References
External links
Nature / Nurture at Discogs