NF - Mansion [Album Review]

(For a TRACK-BY-TRACK review, scroll down) NF. It may be a name you've heard of, it may not be. But the Christian hip hop music artist is making quite the impression on industry. His first EP earned him a place on the Billboard charts, peaking at #15 on the US Top Rap Albums. Less than a year later and he is back with his début studio album, Mansion, an ambitious and emotional introspective journey. 

The album starts off with the aptly named ‘Intro’, which welcomes us into the world of NF. It starts off with choir-esque sounds and erupts into an orchestral explosion of quick fire rapping and intense beats. NF is sure to open us up to his history, from getting signed by Capitol and his struggle with his music and progress within his passion, this is a 'this is me' type of track. A collab between whimsical singer Fleurie and NF is up next in the form of title track 'Mansion', where Fleurie sweetly sings the hook of the track: “My mind is a home I’m trapped in/ and it’s lonely inside this mansion”. NF is quick on her heels following with deeply emotive and raw lyrics, which are particularly hard-hitting against the varying slow to mid-tempo beat.

‘All I Have’ is #3, and was actually the first track from NF’s EP, aptly titled the rapper’s name, so although fans may have already heard it, it is still a strong track on the record. It's one that focuses on past flaws and visions as well as the struggles people can face with ‘making it’. The song really culminates at the chorus with the repetition of ‘Don’t tell me that this isn’t real/ this is all that I have’. The impressionable ‘Wait’ is next and it’s a far stretch from the beginning of the record, but it really does work. This type of hip-hop ballad allows NF to stretch his vocal chords, showing he can both sing the hook of a track and rap the verses. It’s an interesting blend of musical stylings with an addictive, smooth bassline. On ‘Wake Up’ verses come crashing down in a suitably alarming manner, with the hip-hop ballad switching between more immediate verses to some more subtle singing. This one’s all about waking up – in case you hadn’t guessed – to the world around you and living your life as it is now, not necessarily what you’re waiting for it to be.

‘Face It’ is track listing number 6, and you can really feel the gritty energy of this song, and combined with a slick production makes for a pretty compelling listen. ‘Motivated’ – You’re in for a surprise with this one. Starting off quite tame with a dialogue from NF, it then descends into madness and chaotic rapping from the singer in unmerciful fashion. It’s got the element of gospel choirs, rock beats and some of the most adrenaline fuelled vocals you’ll hear. ‘Notepad’ is next and it's a mixture of separate dialogue from NF and quick-spit verses. As personal as always. The only disappointing addition so far is ‘Turn The Music Up’ as this one seems a little bit out of place amongst the rest of the truly emotional additions; more like a party filler track. If that’s the type of thing you’re looking for, then this is it, but it seems a little misguided.

‘Paralyzed’ is quick to save the day though. A haunting addition with a distinctly spiritual aura, this one combines NF’s talents at singing and rapping. It's got the whole swaying in the breeze, staring at the world from a tall building vibe (that's a thing, right?). On ‘I’ll Keep On’ Jeremiah Carlson joins NF to get some strong old soul vibes going. The instrumentals on this are a little reminiscent of Ed Sheeran. The album closes with the mesmerizing ‘Can You Hold Me’, which is another duet with Britt Nicole. This piano-heavy track has a slower tempo which gives NF a chance to display his more sentimental, vulnerable side. The result is charming and unforgettable.

Overall Verdict: 

NF’s Mansion is an eminently impressive record, with a fluid mix of hip-hop, rap and smooth ballads. In an industry which is littered with budding singers, NF has carved out a spot specifically tailored to himself, one that fuses different stylings together and showcases his full musical potential. Mansion does what most albums fail to do; provide something that is worth listening to until the end. You’ll be so enthralled by the lyrical tales of struggle and the passionate emotion coming through that it’ll be difficult to stop listening for even a second. This is a really a gem amongst the current album market, and for hip-hop fans who perhaps are looking for something a bit different, a bit more ominous and truly ‘raw’ in every sense of the word, then this will surely not disappoint. However, the truly assaultive style of the record on all the senses means that this may be overwhelming to some people, and it is perhaps this essence of the record that may not ‘do it’ for some. This is always a risk, but it’s one that perhaps has the potential to pay off greatly for the upcoming Christian hip hop musician.