Mansion

A Michigan-born rapper with lightening-quick delivery and a troubled past might call to mind a certain rap vet, but the Eminem comparisons end there. NF\'s debut is a darkly contemplative, ultimately hopeful account of the MC’s personal struggles and Christian faith. He pulls double duty singing and rapping on “Wait,” a mournful, piano-driven love song, and experiments with EDM-inspired beats on high-drama accountability anthem “Face It.” The eerie, pounding title track takes a conceptual tour through the mansion of his mind, each room housing a life-altering trial he’s striving to overcome.

Coming on strong with the speed of Eminem and the honest attitude of Lecrae, NF gets dark and introspective on his debut album, but there's plenty of hope and honor here as well.