Nine Inch Nails Unveils First Single in Five Years: ‘As Alive as You Need Me’

## Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross: A Cinematic Return

When you have musical visionaries like Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who needs artificial intelligence? The duo is back with a fresh track titled “As Alive as You Need Me to Be.” This marks Nine Inch Nails’ first release in five years, showcasing their cinematic flair.

## New Music for a New Project

The song is part of a 24-track soundtrack they created for *Tron: Ares*, scheduled to release on September 19. This exciting addition precedes the film’s debut in October, which explores the intriguing theme of human encounters with artificial intelligence.

### Impressive Projects Continue

Though Nine Inch Nails has been relatively quiet since their 2020 *Ghosts* album series, Reznor and Ross have been actively engaged in multiple projects. Last year, they scored Luca Guadagnino’s *Queer* and crafted a captivating, techno-infused soundtrack for the film *Challengers*. They are set to collaborate with Guadagnino once more for the upcoming release *After the Hunt*, coming this October. Additionally, they contributed music to the Apple TV+ film *The Gorge* earlier this year, showcasing their talent under their own names rather than as Nine Inch Nails.

## Awards and Recognition

The duo has an impressive portfolio, having composed scores for numerous films and television shows. Their previous accolades include Academy Awards for *The Social Network* and *Soul*. With the *Tron: Ares* soundtrack, they have a prime opportunity to earn further accolades, this time with the Nine Inch Nails name prominently featured.

### Anticipation Builds for the Sequel

The latest installment in the *Tron* franchise, *Tron: Legacy*, was released in 2010 and featured a score by Daft Punk. In 2020, Disney’s President of Music & Soundtracks, Mitchell Leib, expressed enthusiasm for having Reznor and Ross return for the sequel. Unfortunately, Leib retired shortly before Daft Punk announced their breakup, leaving fans curious about the score’s future.

## A Tour for the Fans

Recently, Nine Inch Nails kicked off their *Peel It Back Tour*, their first in three years. The setlist is a treasure trove, featuring songs that haven’t been performed live in over a decade. Trent Reznor delivered a stunning solo piano rendition of “Right Where It Belongs,” marking the first live performance of the track since 2009. The band also revived “Ruiner” and “Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me Now)” after a long hiatus of 16 years.

What are you most excited about with Nine Inch Nails’ comeback?