Rapper NF returns with his highly anticipated, fourth studio album, ‘The Search.’ All in all, Nate Feuerstein puts together an enjoyable, well-rounded LP.
NF experienced a huge come-up in 2017. His third studio album, Perception, debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard 200. Furthermore, the platinum-certified album spawned the biggest hit of the Michigan rapper’s career with “Let You Down.” It’s no surprise that The Search ended up being highly anticipated, beating Chance the Rapper’s The Big Day for the no. 1 on the Billboard 200. Even given his breakout success, as he depicts on The Search, Nate was depressed. His pain, quite relatable, is our listening pleasure.
“The Search”
Fittingly, NF commences The Search with ✓ “The Search.” “The Search” is comprised of one gargantuan verse that finds Nate sharing his struggles. It’s wordy and a lot to unpack, but what stands out is his energetic delivery and the dark, intense, minor-key production. ✓ “Leave Me Alone” maintains the energy, while also extending the duration beyond the five-minute-mark. Even so, “Leave Me Alone” is stronger thanks to adding truly hooky pre-chorus and chorus sections. Feuerstein continues to exhibit a mad flow, dropping top-notch rhymes without ever thinking about being the least bit profane. When you have the skills he does, you can overcome being the ‘Christian rapper’ who doesn’t curse.
“I don’t do drugs, I’m addicted to the pain though / Yeah, I been on it for a while, dunno how to put it down / Gotta have it, it’s a habit I’m a break though.” The sleek “Change” finds NF reflecting on bettering himself, being open to changing. He’s completely open and honest about his issues, stating on the third verse, “Last year, I felt suicidal / This year, I might do somethin’ different like talkin’ to God more.” That’s where that ‘Christian’ rap label comes into play ;).
“My Stress”
Nate continues to experience his own fair share of issues on “My Stress,” ultimately seeking relief from it. “Yo, this life got my head spinnin’ / Wonder what I’d do if I knew these were my last minutes…” Like “Change” that precedes it, he continues to serve up relatable records that ‘minister’ in a different way than most Christian music. ✓ “Nate” supersedes, ranking among the crème de la crème of The Search. The bars are potent, the backdrop banging, and NF is among his most authentic. One of the best examples is the second verse, where he references and reflects on his own turbulent childhood. The chorus is one of the biggest selling points of “Nate,” particularly how he showcases a sense of brotherhood:
“I know you been questionin’ life Trust me, I know what it’s like I’m here for you if you need someone to listen Do you need someone to listen?”
Notably, on the sung chorus of ✓ “Time,” NF references “change” (“I’ll be here waiting, I promise I’m changing / I just need…”). Here, the rapper has shifted from his own issues to matters of the heart – his marriage. His commitment and dedication, particularly given his own insecurities and issues, is nothing short of awesome. With so many sick beats, it’s hard to pick out the best of the bunch on the consistent The Search. “Returns” is certainly in contention, made even better with Nate’s indisputable, dope flow. Of course, the keyboards and synth strings go a long way. Anyways, like “The Search,” “Returns” is one big verse – a pretty epic one at that.
“When I Grow Up”
✓ “When I Grow Up” speaks of NF’s aspirations… as a child of course. He captures the struggle of making his dream a reality, the plight of so many talented musicians. The chorus is on-point, filled with energy. “Only” features one of the few collaborations of The Search, enlisting Sasha Sloan singing the chorus and bridge. Nate is quite relatable once more, asking the question if ‘he’s the only one’ experiencing loneliness. Obviously, he’s not, but when we are lonely or experiencing something troublesome, we often feel like we’re the only one going through trouble. “Let Me Go” serves as the halfway mark, appearing as the 10th of 20 tracks on The Search. The formula is much the same. Effective, but also approaching ‘predictable’ given the length. Regardless, Nate continues to slaughter.
“Hate Myself”
“My most considered, like, ‘successful’ moment of my life was the worst. The most depressed I’ve ever been… So, I literally had everything that I had always dreamed of happening, and I felt… I didn’t feel happy at all.”
“-Interlude-” offers insight into the depression that plagued NF. “-Interlude-” successfully prefaces one of the best songs of The Search, ✓ “Hate Myself.” “Hate Myself” seems to explore the artist’s deepest, darkest thoughts, which include suicidal thoughts. Even in his compromised, depressed state, Nate makes it clear “Suicide thoughts come and go like a guest to me / But I don’t wanna die, I just wanna get relief. The chorus is absolute money:
“I don’t see you like I should You look so misunderstood And I wish I could help But it’s hard when I hate myself Pray to God with my arms open If this is it, then I feel hopeless And I wish I could help But it’s hard when I hate myself.”
“Hate Myself” is simply marvelous. Besides the relatable theme, NF continues to do interesting things musically, with pitch-shifted vocals, as well as a ripe bag of production tricks alongside co-producer Tommee Profitt. Following up “Hate Myself” is tough (understatement), but “I Miss the Days” ends up being a truly compelling follow-up. The energy is ramped up, the production is dark, yet incredibly warm, with the charge being led by awesome, high-flying choral background vocals. Also, like the best songs of The Search, the chorus is quite memorable.
“No Excuses”
“No Excuses” has ‘that attitude’ and swagger boding in its favor. There’s less depth compared to gems “Nate” or “Hate Myself,” but for a ‘dumbed down’ joint, it’s pretty fresh. This is modern hip-hop through and through – don’t worry about the Christian label so much. “Like This” still has oomph but excels at showing NF in ‘chill’ mode. The record is smooth incorporating some nice R&B vibes. The best thing about “Options” are the quick-paced rhymes. In regard to songs on The Search, yes, there are better ‘options’ indeed. Even the same could be said of “WHY” this deep into the album. Even so, it packs more punch than “Options,” with its souped-up anchoring beat, malicious minor-key backdrop, and of course, an electric flow.
Entering homestretch, “Thinking” has some Drake vibes going on, whether intentional or not, that make it interesting. Honestly, the less characteristic penultimate number, ✓ “Trauma,” is more intriguing because of its balladry. While it’s a bit long, particularly as the 19th track of an album that runs 70-minutes-plus, it’s quite beautiful and shows you a different side of NF. “Time (Edit)” concludes the album. Of course, “Time” already previously appeared.
Final Thoughts
All in all, NF puts together another enjoyable, well-rounded album with The Search. The production is superb throughout, while Nate Feuerstein clearly ‘puts his all’ into this album. Is it perfect? No. Honestly, Nate could’ve cut this album by 20 minutes and it would’ve been tighter. It simply runs too long without Feuerstein doing a dramatic ‘about face’ beyond “Trauma.” Still, if this is how compelling Christian rap can be, count me in.
✓ Gems: “The Search,” “Leave Me Alone,” “Change,” “Nate,” “Time,” “Hate Myself,” “I Miss the Days” & “Trauma”
NF • The Search • NF Real Music • Release: 7.26.19
Photo Credit: NF Real Music