Review Summary: NF takes his music to the next level with this dark and emotional sophomore album.
In 2015, NF dropped his debut album Mansion. That album served as an introduction to him and his struggle as he invited us into his mind using the clever motif of a house (his mansion) to represent his brain with the different rooms symbolizing his conflicted thoughts and emotions. NF vulnerably exposed himself as someone who has been hurt by physical abuse as a kid, unhealthy relationships, and the untimely death of his distant mom. He showed anger and frustration. He showed us that he could rap vehemently and skillfully, write at the top level, and oh by the way: that he could sing too, just to top it all off (not something most rappers can claim to do... not well anyway). He showed that he had some serious potential and he caught a lot of people's attention, but it was obvious that NF was going to have to mature in his work and dive in deeper if he really wanted to make it to the next level. His lyrics on Mansion mostly focused on introducing who he was and shedding light on his background and work ethic, spending a lot of time boasting about his abilities. So now NF makes a bold move. He opens up to his audience even further, inviting them to join him for his Therapy Session.
Right off the bat, NF makes it clear in what direction he wants to take his sophomore album. While the first album was dark and a bit gritty, Therapy Session is far more so. "Intro 2" kicks things off similarly to the first album, but with even more intensity and added choir vocals to the movie-traileresque music driving the explosive track forward. Really, that's what "Intro 2" serves as: a trailer for the rest of the album. He teases the audience with lines like “it's about to get scarier” and “if you don't like music that's personal you might as well throw out the record”, strongly implying that it's about to get personal and deep. He also sets the stage in this song by stating his frustration with the life he's living and the criticism he's been receiving, especially the criticism revolving around his music being “too violent” or “self-centered”. For the rest of the album, NF deals with these issues, sometimes defending himself, but often admitting he's lost. He just lays it all on the table, sometimes seeming to go back and forth on issues, just as one would expect to see during a Therapy Session.
With the teasing first track over with, NF jumps right into the thick of things. "Therapy Session" is a brooding, haunting track, with a symphonic, epic feel. NF talks about the fans who are dealing with things he relates too and explains that his music is not only there for them, but is also for him personally. His music is what he believes he must use to cope with his reality. He goes from there to "I Just Wanna Know", a catchy song about a broken relationship and the pain surrounding it. The song's chorus sounds very much like something by Ed Sheeran: a trend which continues throughout the album. Ed Sheeran seems to have left a rather large imprint on NF's singing all through the album, as a matter of fact, but is most noticeable in this song and in the melancholy "Wish You Wouldn't".
The fourth track on the album, “How Could You Leave Us” is by far the best song on the album, and his best song to date. The first word to come to mind during the initial listening to this song is just “raw”. It's so raw. With a sound that is unbelievably similar to Eminem (specifically "Cleanin' Out My Closet" and "Mockingbird"), NF spills out his heart and soul over his most sensitive and influential topic: the drug overdose and loss of his mom. This song, I think, is the centerpiece of the whole album. It sounds amazing, it's tear inducingly emotional and honest, and it brings fully into the light NF's darkest room in his mansion. I found it impossible not to get choked up by it on each of my first few listens.
The rest of the album continues along the same track. There isn't a skip-worthy song on the record. Admittedly, there are a few songs that are not quite as emotional and deep as the others, like “Grindin' (feat. Marty of Social Club), “Statement, and “All I Do”. However, each of those three songs are catchy with very solid rapping and some memorable lines. They're the hype songs that will be fun to play live and give people something to dance to and jam out to in the car. Some highlights on the album are definitely “Real”, which at times sounds strikingly similar to Eminem's “Rap God”, featuring about 4 minutes of straight up bars. His speed and aggression takes center stage in this one, while “Oh Lord” and “Got You On My Mind” are both super catchy songs.
It takes guts to be as vulnerable and to write about the personal matters NF does on this album. He admits to his immaturity in relationships in “Breathe”, and the way he pours his heart out on “How Could You Leave Us” is something not everyone could do. We live in a world today where we try not to open up and show ourselves, or “wear our garbage”, as NF puts it. Lack of honesty has led to a generation full of anxiety, isolation, broken relationships, and frustration. By opening up and allowing listeners to join in his own personal Therapy Session, NF lets others see that they are not alone in their struggles. It encourages frankness and openness, which is something we all could use more of in our lives. Aside from strong lyrical and thematic quality, NF displays remarkable growth musically as well. Each song is beautifully crafted, with dark, moody, theatrical music. His rapping has become even more complex and intense at the same time, and as always, his ability to sing his own hooks is so impressive. He can really do it all, write, rap, and sing, and it's exciting to see him growing and improving. Therapy Session is, in my opinion, one of the best all-around rap albums in recent years. It's well rounded and has an addictingly good sound. It may be very difficult for NF to top it with his next one, but I will be very eager to see him try. In the meantime though, he's left us with a great piece of work to process and enjoy. NF has definitely taken a big step on his road to becoming one of the premier rappers in the business.
