RED "Gone" Album Review

By: James Southworth
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

As I said in one of my earlier review posts, I've always felt like I have a personal connection with RED more than almost any of my top bands. They're one of the only bands I've followed since the beginning of they're career, and it's been incredible to watch them grow. RED deservedly exploded into the Christian and secular rock circles with their hit singles "Breathe Into Me" and "Already Over". The band has grown and evolved over the years. Two years ago they released what I think is their unmatched magnum opus "Of Beauty and Rage", which also happens to be one of my top 5 albums of all time. So of course, with their sixth studio album "Gone", the band had a lot to live up to, as even they have said in interviews that they think OBAR has their best written material. While "Gone" does not quite live up to some of RED's other albums, it is still an excellent rock release in its own right, and does some brave musical risk taking with an electronic backbone.

This opening track "Step Inside, The Violence" lets you know right away that instead of using strings for the majority of the album, RED is going to use a lot more electronics. Thankfully they know how to use them. Much like with their strings on other releases, on this album the band does not let the electronics become the star of the show. In this song in particular, they effectively incorporate them with distorted guitars to create a menacing atmosphere. Despite some differences in sound, there's still something about this track that is unmistakably RED. This song is very captivating, shifting from brooding verses to a very intense chorus. Michael's voice is still reliably strong, going between his gorgeous cleans and really unleashing whenever he screams. One of the lead singles "Still Alive" comes next, and I'm not gonna lie, I'm absolutely addicted to this song. It is shamelessly pop/rock, and it is has an unbelievably catchy chorus. The electronics serve to make this song have a fun vibe to it, while the guitars still thunder in to make the song feel more intense than your typical pop/rock track. I like the theme of this song, as Barnes wonders if our lives truly have any meaning to them. That's a pretty dark topic to think about, and Barnes presents it in a way that is honest and relatable. The title track is one that I started out being unsure about. It was very jarring to hear its clear EDM styled breakdown in the chorus, but I now see that the musical risk taking RED did makes this song r really stand out. The song is also incredibly deep in subject matter as Barnes asks whether he will be remembered when he passes: "When I'm gone/When I fade away/Is the air I breathe my only legacy?". For that reason alone, the title track is really good and effectively encompasses the thematic arc of the entire album.

My personal favorite track from this album is easily "Losing Control". I just can't get enough of this song, as it embodies everything that is classic RED. It is one of the few tracks on the album that uses strings, making it stand out since symphonic rock is what RED does best. Right from the beginning I got the feeling of barely controlled chaos. The strings give this track a menacing vibe, and the lyrics add to the song's dark atmosphere: "Just another caricature/See how temptation leads/It sells me the lies, like a sheep in disguise/With every word it plants another seed". This song compellingly discusses how without God in our lives, or some sense of morality, our grip on control will easily slip away from us. The ending of this song is what ultimately puts it at the top, as the strings and guitars collide in an awesome way and Barnes screams out "control" over and over. The song goes out in an incredible way, and it still leaves me speechless every time I hear it. This track is easily one of RED's best to date. There are plenty of other great tracks to discuss. "Coming Apart" is an electronic tinged ballad, and while it doesn't hold quite as much weight as some of the band's other ballads, it still works great within the context of this album. This song has Barnes crying out for someone, whether a loved one or God, to keep him from losing himself- a common theme that pervades this whole album. Through this album, RED explores how we can try to understand ourselves more, and they powerfully suggest  that one of those ways is turning to others to help us.  I think "Coming Apart" stands out mainly in its touching lyrical content, and Michael's vocals work well with the electronic sound; he doesn't sound out of place at all.

Another highlight comes in "Fracture", a straight up hard rock track that sounds like it could be right at home on "Innocence and Instinct".  The guitar work from Anthony and Randy Armstrong is incredible in this song, and the chorus really sticks. "Chasing Your Echo" already seems to be a fan favorite, and I can definitely see why. This song is musically captivating, as it combines electronics, strings, and guitars in a cool way. It's also lyrically interesting as Barnes begs a loved one to not leave him only chasing the memory of him/her. The album ends off with a very unique track in "Singularity". I've never heard RED do a song like this, and it works to their benefit to end the standard edition of this album off in a very epic way. I have to give a big recommendation for the bonus track "The Mask Slips Away",  perhaps my second favorite song from the album. This song mainly ditches electronics in favor of a more stripped down acoustic sound, something which the band hasn't done in a really long time. I absolutely love the track for that reason, and the lyrics are emotionally resonating: "I'm tired of running/I'm tired of hiding/Feeling the mask slip away/I tried to hold you". Oftentimes one of the ways we lose ourselves and others is by wearing a mask to hide who we really are. This song hit me hard because of how effectively Barnes reveals that truth.

There are a few songs that don't work quite as much for me.  "Unstoppable" is my least favorite, though the reason this track doesn't work isn't entirely RED's fault. This song is a cover of an already generic pop song by Sia. RED  tries to make it more interesting, but ultimately the excessive usage of electronics falls flat, and Barnes sounds entirely disengaged (which makes me wonder if it was the record label who made them do a cover). The chorus is annoyingly repetitive, and the subject matter of this song just doesn't work for the rest of the album. It's one of RED's weakest songs in general.  While I respect the song "A.I." for doing a bit of musical risk-taking, its off kilter chorus just doesn't work for me, and Barnes's vocals sound oddly off. The song shifts tempo very randomly as well.

This release is definitely the most different RED has sounded since "Release the Panic". I think they really honed in the more electronic sound they were going for on that aforementioned album.  By using electronics more prominently on this album, the band made it work with rock in a natural way. It's not a bad thing at all that this album is a bit more radio friendly, as I do like the softer side of Barnes's vocals. While there are a few weaker moments in this album, I still feel that "Gone" is yet another great entry in RED's discography, continuing to show that they are a very consistent band, and deserving of being one of my favorite bands of all time. I would even go so far as to classify this as RED's fifth masterwork in their discography, which is an incredible accomplishment. I definitely recommend you check it out!

Favorite Tracks: "Losing Control", "The Mask Slips Away",  "Chasing Your Echo", "Gone", "Singularity"
Least Favorite Tracks: "Unstoppable", "A.I."

5 Horror Movies You NEED To See! (#1)

By: James Southworth

Over the years, horror has more and more become one my favorite movie genres to watch. Certainly when I was younger I didn't understand why people would want to watch movies just to get scared. But now I do understand. There's something thrilling about the chill that goes up your spine when you're watching a great horror movie. And oftentimes, the horror genre delivers some of the most unique ideas of any movie genre, and many of them even find ways to deliver powerful themes in their scares. Since it is almost Halloween,  I find it fitting to recommend five different horror films you should definitely watch. So here they are! What's your favorite horror movies to watch every year when Halloween comes around?

1. The Babadook

You will find me constantly recommending this film. Not only is it my favorite horror film, it's also one of my top 5 favorite movies of all time. I have yet to find a horror film that so effectively uses its scares to not only make you legitimately scared, but also hone in a powerful theme about facing grief. The movie revolves around Amelia, who has been dealing with the loss of her husband for six years now. She has a tough time disciplining her out-of-control son Samuel. Things only become worse when one night Samuel asks her to read a children's book. In this book is The Babadook, and as Amelia reads it, she finds that the story to be much more sinister than your typical children's book. That plot alone should intrigue you to watch this movie, and trust me, there is not a moment for most of the movie where the tension lets up. The chills I got from the film were very natural, and oftentimes I felt realistically scared. The Babadook is never really shown, and there are no jump scares, so that works highly to this movie's benefit. It also helps that both Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman as Amelia and Samuel give compelling performances, making their characters fleshed  out and realistic. Well-directed and upending horror cliches, "The Babadook" works on every front, and it is a horror movie you absolutely shouldn't miss out on!

2. Psycho 

If you haven 't seen this horror classic, then just drop everything you're doing right now and watch it. This movie inspired a more edgy and violent horror genre, and was also the subtle start of slasher horror films.  If only the slasher films had the subtlety and intelligence this one had. To be fair, though, not many people can match up to Alfred Hitchcock. In this movie we get to experience the intriguing personality of Norman Bates as he interacts with Lila Crane, who has run away with $40,000 of embezzled money. As we get to learn more about Norman, he becomes oddly unsettling, especially as he begins to talk of his mother Norma Bates. This movie has a lot going for it. The isolated motel setting makes you realize that no one is safe there, and there is something menacing about the Bates house as well, where "Norma" resides. Hitchcock brings a lot of sympathy to Norman Bates through the interesting themes he touches on, such as wondering if we're all a little crazy sometimes. Anthony Perkins as Norman perfects playing the likeable psycho, and he plays it convincing enough for the viewer to think that maybe Norman isn't insane. Of course there is the iconic shower scene that has put this movie into permanent classic territory, but there are so many other great moments in this movie that need to be seen as well! "Psycho" is another top favorite movie of mine, and it's perfect for the Halloween season. As a side note, after watching the movie, I'd recommend you watch the TV series "Bates Motel", which puts Norman and his mother in a modern-day setting, and it shows how Norman turned into who he is on "Psycho". It's one of the best TV series I've ever seen, and it actually honors Hitchcock's source material.

3. Don't Breathe

The title of this movie is pretty clever, as not only are the main characters not supposed to breathe in this movie because the killer's house they're in is blind, but the audience is also left breathless because this movie is just constant, white-knuckled, horror. This movie is just high-octane on the horror spectrum, with big frightening moments happening one after the other. None of the horror is supernatural either, it all feels brutally realistic. That's what you should expect from Sam Raimi though, who created the crazy "Evil Dead" series. But, even though Raimi loves to have  big scares, he doesn't take away from making his characters sympathetic. The beginning bit of this movie gives all the characters a reason for being thieves. You don't agree that they are robbing houses, but you do at least understand why. When these characters are put into a horrifying situation, you actually want them to get out alive. The way Raimi does horror is very unique in this film, as there are so many twists and turns that you don't expect.  This is a movie where it's better not to reveal what happens. Just watch it for yourself, and I hope you'll be constantly on the edge of your seat like I was.

4. You're Next

If you want to watch a horror film with a dark comedic edge, then this is the right movie for you.  When I saw the trailer for this movie, which revolved around killers with animal masks randomly coming to a rich family's house and killing them, the premise sounded silly. The movie and director Adam Wingard seem fully aware of that, and he uses comedy to his advantage. There are some moments in this movie that are so over-the-top in regards to how people die, but they are done in a way that is just the right combination of silly and scary. The film doesn't feel like it wants to be in any form of tangible reality, and in order to make that more apparent, Wingard films the movie in a sort of fast paced, comic-book style. He does slow down a bit in some of the more legitimately scary moments of the film. I honestly think that Wingard was making fun of violent horror tropes in this film, while succeeding in making the violence in his film actually pay off. The parody is better than the original idea here.  The performances are all really good, especially the delightfully interesting turn by Sharni Vinson as main character  Erin, who only becomes a more intriguing character as we learn the ways in which she deals with the killers.

5. Saw 

I'll admit, I think I judged this movie too harshly for too long. After all, it was this film that popularized the so-called "torture porn" genre.  I never got why people would willingly go watch a movie where people are simply tortured in brutal and gory ways. When my brother and cousin insisted we watch it, I finally grudgingly agreed. After all, I did want to see why this film was considered such a pop culture icon. When the film finished, I was in shock. I actually liked it, and this movie is not at all what people have made it to be. This movie is honestly more of a thriller/suspense movie than it is a movie about torture. There is hardly any blood at all in the movie, instead letting you imagine the violent acts for yourself. The torturer,  Jigsaw, remains a complete mystery for the whole movie, you never actually see him. Instead you only hear his menacing voice, which ups the fear factor that much more. This movie also actually has two really interesting main characters. Carry Elwes has an excellent performance as Dr. Gordon, and Leigh Whannell has a really good turn as Adam. You are given a reason to care for these characters, as director James Wan reveals their backstories and the "sins" they have committed that Jigsaw views as deserving of torture. This movie shows Jigsaw as a heartless psychopath (unlike the rest of the movies, which try to make him more compelling and having valid reasons for torturing his victims), and he is indeed a force to be reckoned with. The twist is shocking and well-deserved, and I ended up loving the movie. It shows how James Wan was already becoming an interesting director from the start, more concerned on making scares implied and interesting rather than in-your-face and boring.  This is the only movie in the "Saw" series that I think is worthwhile. Some parts of "Saw II" are okay, but the third one really starts to show that the series is only concerned with how over-the-top gory it can get. So, just watch the first one, because it is an excellent and creative film!

Top 10 RED Songs

By: James Southworth

RED is such a special band to me. They're one of the few bands I've been actively following since their first album came out. I didn't have to go back in their discography to find out about them; instead I grew up with them. This band has been consistent from their debut, making a powerful, haunting, and intense symphonic hard rock sound with interesting variations in between. I also love how all their albums connect conceptually in cool ways. Because of how good RED is, it's hard to narrow down a top 10 list. It seems fitting to do this list just before their new release "Gone" (perhaps my most anticipated album of the year) is released. I somehow managed to do compile my favorite songs by my second favorite band of all time, so here they are!

Honorable Mentions: "Mystery of You", "Hold Me Now", "What You Keep Alive", "Run and Escape", "Breathe Into Me", "Already Over", "Falling Sky", "The Outside", "Take It All Away"

10. "The Darkest Part" (Of Beauty and Rage)

This was the lead single for RED's most recent album, and man did it make me SO excited for the album. This song embodies pretty much everything that is classic of the band: a dark atmosphere, huge guitar riffs, sweeping symphonic elements, and Michael Barnes trading between beautiful singing and brutal screaming. Right from the beginning with the subtle piano one can feel this song has a lot of weight to it, and it certainly does in the lyrical department: "I never wanted you to see/The darkest part of me/I knew you'd run away/Waited but you never came/So afraid to be alone...". THIS is how you make a song focusing on relationships. I could tell Barnes was very passionate about whatever relationship this was, and nothing about it felt cheesy or forced. This song is also musically dynamic, especially in the bridge where the guitars explode, and the ending segment where Barnes lets loose an incredible scream. The chorus is incredibly catchy, and the thematic arc of this song is touching and haunting.

9. "Hide" (End of Silence)

RED's more epic feeling songs are some of their most intriguing; you'll definitely see a few more of them on this list. "Hide" is certainly a great contender for this type of song, and it never overstays its five minute run time. I love how subtly the song starts out before the guitars, drumming, and violins all come together in a glorious explosive harmony. Something about Michael's voice just works so well with this song in particular, and there is a certain rawness to it that makes the song's emotional heft. This song is interestingly poetic in nature, having lyrics that are a bit more vague in subject matter. What exactly is Michael trying to hide from? It's never actually revealed, which is what adds to this song's intriguing feel. It's the last song on "End of Silence" (besides the acoustic version of "Already Over"), so it certainly ends the album out leaving you wanting more. I especially love the ending, where it goes calm with just a simple piano playing. There is a certain breathlessness to how much this song shifts, but the breathless feeling is always exhilarating.

8. "Feed the Machine" (Until We Have Faces)

I can't think of many better tracks to get you hyped up than this one. This is easily RED's heaviest track, as the guitar riffs evoke a more metalcore feel, and Michael's screams are some of his most intense and unbridled. This song is also very cinematic in nature, especially in its incredibly memorable conclusion where a choir collides with the symphonic elements. The subject of the song also feels like it could belong in a movie, as the band commentates on how we are controlled by a "machine", whether that be the media, government, anything that keeps us away from God. The chorus effectively shifts between Michael's passionate singing and brutal screaming. It's one of RED's most captivating choruses, and that's saying a lot. This song gets what is an overall perfect album to an incredible start, and the track works even better live!

7. "Out From Under" (Innocence and Instinct)

This is easily one of RED's most underrated (if not their most underrated) songs in their whole discography. Honestly, I don't get how this one doesn't get much recognition. It has a very interesting start with some slight electronic elements eventually giving way to a chaotic guitar and symphonic sound that works so effectively. I also love how Michael's vocals have a controlled menacing feel to them. There's an honest desperation in this song, as Barnes asks where God was in his time of vulnerability: "So tell me where where you/When everything fell down like thunder/I begged you to pull me through/I couldn't get out from under". RED knows how to make lyrics relatable, as I have certainly felt moments of doubt like this, and I think almost everyone has asked where a person was at their lowest point. One can especially feel Barnes's emotions in the bridge, which just has some absolutely gorgeous strings, and it cleverly incorporates the thematic arc of the album as well. If you haven't heard this song before, please do yourself a favor and listen. It's one of the band's most heavy songs in subject matter and sound, and it's also one of their most unique.

6. "If We Only" (Release the Panic)

While I do think that RED's third album is overall a bit weaker in comparison to the rest of their discography due to its over reliance on pop elements, it is still not a bad album at all. This song is certainly an indicator of that fact, as this track is fun, classic RED. This one really does a good job of using strings in a bit more of a subtle way. It emphasizes more on the drumming and guitar work, which I think actually serves to make this song feel quite a bit more intense. I still can't help but smile whenever I hear Michael scream "Let it die!" at the beginning of the song before it unleashes with some of the best drum work I've heard in any RED song. The lyricism is also quite powerful, as it discusses how we should try to be unified and understand each other, rather than holding on to our pride. This song is still relevant in many ways today, and that only serves to make the song stand even taller in the band's discography.

5. "Of These Chains" (Of Beauty and Rage)

Speaking of songs with heavy subject matter, this one certainly fits the bill. I enjoy pretty much every RED ballad, but this one (and another one you'll be seeing later on the list) holds a special place in my heart. I had to deal with a tough loss in my junior year of high school, and I wish this song had been around in that year. But this song touched my heart nevertheless when I first heard it, as it's one of the few songs that has brought me to tears. This song is quiet throughout its run time, effectively only using a piano and some gorgeous sounding strings. These two musical elements, along with Barnes using his higher register, creates what is a true masterpiece of a song. The chorus of this song is unbelievably heartbreaking yet redeeming at the same time: "Let me take you when I go, when I go/I don't want to do this on my own, on my own/I'm breaking free but of these chains, oh/Let this one remain". This is basically a song Barnes wrote for when he passes. He wants to take his loved one with him when he dies. He realizes that death is what breaks him free into heaven, but he still wants to keep the metaphorical chain of being connected to his loved ones intact. That subject matter is powerful and so chilling to me. This song never fails to make me get goosebumps while feeling very emotional at the same time. The natural power of RED to draw out the deepest emotions in their listeners is a God-given talent, and this song is evidence of that.

4. "Lie to Me (Denial)" (Until We Have Faces)

This is one of the only RED songs that I think has a more alternative rock feel to it, and I've always loved it for that reason. I also love the almost creepy beginning this song has with its use of quiet strings and a steadily building guitar tone. Where this song really excels is in how it's actually from God's point of view. We see God objectively observing this person who is so broken and turns to their inner demons to keep them comfort. However, it is God who is able to offer them comfort as he reassures them that they "don't need to run again". I've always thought that this song accurately reflects who God is without ever feeling preachy. In fact it's done in such a way that it took me quite a few listens before I realized that the song was not done from Barnes's point of view. This song is complex in that it tackles identity as well, as God is basically saying that by this person denying God and trying to run from him, they are not only "lying" to him, but they are also lying to themselves. This song certainly has a lot more on its mind than your typical rock single, which is why I'm disappointed that this one didn't perform very well for the band despite its super catchy chorus that sticks and overall impactful sound. This is another RED song that I consider to be underrated, and it's always been a big favorite for me.

3. "Pieces" (End of Silence)

This song is a fan favorite, and it totally is deserving this label. I've heard so many different stories about how this song has connected with RED fans. I have my own story as well. I remember being at a youth conference in 8th grade. This conference was very important to me because on the last night of it, I ended up rededicating my life to Christ. After the conference had basically ended, I heard this song playing over the speakers. It was one of the few songs from RED's debut I hadn't listened to that much, but I still recognized the song as theirs, and the subject matter of the song was so fitting and emotional for the moment I was in. I still love how this song is basically someone coming to God as a very broken individual, hoping that he will welcome them home. Ultimately, there is a powerful redemption that occurs: "Then I see your face/I know I'm finally yours/I find everything I thought I lost before/You call my name/I come to you in pieces/So you can make me whole". Those lyrics still touch me to this day. They are an important reminder about RED's overall image as a band: the band acknowledges the very dark parts of us, but they also are able to navigate that darkness to find the potential for a beautiful, hopeful redemption. I will always be grateful to this song for that reason, and I can't see it ever going out of my top 3 favorite RED songs.

2. "Death of Me" (Innocence and Instinct)

In my opinion, no top 10 list for RED is complete without this song in there somewhere. This song takes the hard rock edge and symphonic elements that "End of Silence" had and refines them to make a song that is absolutely flawless in every way. Even though I've listened to this song hundreds of times, it still takes me breath away with how seamlessly it makes the symphonic rock sound work. The music video for this song is one of the best music videos I've ever seen, as it brings the meaning of the song in a whole new light. I now can't view this song as anything but this: Barnes believes that he could potentially be the death of himself. This song is basically saying how the darkest part of us is at constant war with the good part of ourselves: "You tear me down and then you build me up/You take it all and still it's not enough/You tried to tell me you can heal me/But I'm still bleeding/And you would be the death of me". It's a powerful message of how we can often be our own destruction because we tear ourselves down due to false perceptions and a corrupted sense of self. My favorite part of this song is where Barnes and guitarist Anthony Armstrong clash their screams together to make one of the most intense parts of any song I've ever heard. Everything about this track still blows me away to this day, and there's nothing anyone could say to change my mind about this.

1. "Shadow and Soul" (Of Beauty and Rage)

This song is just a masterpiece- a pure masterpiece. This is the culmination of RED's consistently building talent from their first album. This song tackles the idea of the dark and light part of the soul rather than just the self. It's one of the most complex things that RED has discussed: "My furtive soul/A heart unknown/It's buried alive/The boundary fades between/Shadow and soul/My untold I'm waiting". Barnes's songwriting here is intelligent enough for him to actually realize that he doesn't know where his own soul is at- is it in the shadows or is it fully a soul? The boundary between the two is so grey that he feels caught in between both of them. This also encompasses the theme of the album, which explores how to find beauty out of the darkest moments in life. This track is chilling musically. Right from the beginning this song hooks you with its usage of dark strings and Michael's voice constantly going from clashing between singing and screaming, representing the struggle between the shadow and the soul. Everything musically works on a symbolic level to create a song that is an emotional journey from beginning to end. What really sells this song is its ending, where Barnes surprised me by using his higher vocal register, almost nearing the falsetto. It's gorgeous, and it leaves this nearly six-minute epic on a chilling note. You can't miss this song, or any of the other songs on this list!

NF "Perception" Album Review

By: James Southworth
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

NF quickly became one of the most watched new rappers in both secular and Christian circles with his major label debut "Mansion". It received massive critical acclaim that was, in my opinion, very well-deserved. It's a vulnerable, powerful and aggressive release that the rap genre needed. I personally liked his sophomore release "Therapy Session" even better. It really emphasized on the raw emotion and mostly took out the slightly off-putting arrogance Nate exuded occasionally in his debut. It's surprising to see that he has released yet another album this year, only a year after his past album, making his releases consecutive and consistent. With sixteen tracks and an hour long run time, it's certainly easy to see that the man is dedicated. While I think that "Perception" occasionally rehashes many of NF's themes and brings back his arrogant demeanor sometimes, it is still an overall solid album.

While this album is not as strong as a whole as his previous two, it does include many songs that I can see becoming significant favorites of mind. "Intro 3" somehow was able to improve over the previous two intros. I don't know how NF does it, but he's managed to make each of his intros more and more impressive in lyrical content, rap flow, and production. I couldn't help but smile when I heard the familiar epic production values, with the beautiful orchestration and powerful backing chorus. This is NF at his finest, and it's easily the best song on the album. Lyrically, this song gave me cold chills, as Nate has a "conversation" with his fear where it's revealed that his fear has been controlling him for too long: "Cryin' in your room like a baby/"I wish mom was here!" /We all do/So we wouldn't have to hear about it every single record/You don't really wanna change me/Yeah, I'm the one that made this happen/Do you really wanna get rid of your main attraction?". Those lines in particular left me speechless, as they're some of the most raw lyrics that he has written. The song is haunting and inspirational, as at the end of the song Nate reveals that "Therapy Session" was what really helped him overcome his fears, so he can now move on to being more passionate about his music. It's nice to see Nate writing a song that has a good outcome for him. While I love the songs where he pours his heart out, they're still hard to listen to over and over because of how raw they are. A song like this with such a good payoff will make me want to come back to it repeatedly.

"Outcast" is a worthy follow-up to the preceding song, as it's a five-minute banger in which NF discusses how he won't give in to the whims of the industry. He certainly seems to be living up to that image as he actually made his own record label for this album. Nate's critiques of popular rap are very legitimate, and it's nice to see him distance himself from making songs that objectify women and glorify money (although he has some problems with glorifying himself and his music sometimes-more on that later). I personally found this song to be a very fun listen all the way through, and it kept me interested throughout its run time. "10 Feet Down" is another big highlight for me, as this one includes a very good feature in Ruelle. This one also has Nate admitting that attempting to rise to the top and actually getting there are not as glorious of endeavors as they seem to be: "Yeah, seems like we're all trying to climb a ladder/It's crazy what we'll do to climb it faster/It's like we throw away the things in life that really matter/Just so that we can make it to the top, and wonder what we're even climbing after". There's a lot of truth to what he's saying here, and the way he words it is clever and interesting. The chorus of this song has a catchy vibe, with the distorted voice effects working well. Although "Green Lights" could be interpreted as being arrogant, I still can't help but see this song as just a pure fun hype track, and I can tell NF is enjoying himself.

"Let You Down" is certainly effective lead single, as it combines the honesty of NF's lyrics with the more accessible side of him that sings. This song has a lot more of him singing than usual, and I really like his singing voice. I've always wanted to hear what an NF song that mainly emphasized on singing would sound like, and this makes me want to hear even more. The song's subject matter of Nate apologizing to his father for constantly disappointing him is touching and personal. It feels fitting that he would make a song for his father on this album after making "How Could You Leave Us" in dedication to his mother on his previous album. The middle half of this album is a bit hit and miss, but there are some solid tracks. "Destiny" does exactly what you would expect: it has Nate contemplating what his destiny will be as an artist. "Know" and "Lie" have similar subject matter, and work in conjunction with each other; both of them showcase some solid production work as well. "Remember This" has NF in stream of consciousness mode, contemplating his fame, struggles in life, and relationships. This track sounds simple in concept, but because of how well-written it is, it stands out. The ending track "Outro" is another big highlight and really leaves this album out on a high note. It references all of NF's previous singles, making all the albums tie together in an interesting way that you should discover for yourself. Nate spits some impressive bars; his flow is absolutely on point. This song stays aggressive throughout, and I was left breathless by the end.

There are some glaring problems with "Perception" that keep it from reaching the great album status. One of them is that, in general, I feel like this album just doesn't have the same punch as NF's two previous works. After "Intro 3", I had thought that maybe this album would be all about crippling fear, and it certainly seems like it would be that way with the prison album cover. But, the album never really explores the concept of fear much beyond the first song, which is really disappointing. I think NF could've really made some interesting commentary on it. There are a few specific songs that I have issues with. Probably my least favorite track is "One Hundred". Similarly to "Real", this song has NF seeming to believe he's the only rapper who makes real music, and because of that, anyone who criticizes him in any way is a hater. I really don't care for this side of his personality. On one hand, I suppose this is still NF being honest with us, and he even admits in other songs on this album that he needs validation for his songwriting. But, this track just feels arrogant to me, and hypocritical in how NF thinks he's allowed to critique other rappers but no one can touch him.

The rest of the songs I don't really care for are more just because they feel a little generic. "My Life" is probably the most annoying song on this whole release, as it is super repetitive. It mainly says "my life" over and over again. Nate sounds way too subdued here, and his talented rapping is reduced to a drone; he even sounds a bit bored. "You're Special", while sweet in that it's dedicated to NF's girlfriend, is still too familiar sounding as a relationship song. It's pretty cliched, and its five-minute run-time is felt. The middle part of this album, while not having any awful songs, still is plagued by sameness. From "My Life" until "One Hundred", there are only a select few songs that drew my attention, so I don't see myself returning back to the middle part of this release any time soon.

So, maybe "Perception" doesn't quite hold up to the quality of its predecessors. But, that would be a very hard task to achieve, considering how great the previous two albums were. I think that NF should consider taking at least a year off before releasing another album, although I still admire his hard work and dedication. At this point, the subjects he talks about are starting to become more noticeable and predictable. It's not like they're bad subjects, but I think he could put a different spin on them. Still, I definitely enjoyed this album due to it having several songs which are amongst NF's best written material. Give this one a try, even if you aren't a fan. Then, I recommend you go Nate's excellent backing discography!

Favorite Tracks: "Intro 3", "Let You Down", "Outro", "10 Feet Deep", "Remember This"
Least Favorite Tracks: "One Hundred", "My Life", "You're Special"