Just Nate – F E A R EP
Took this photo on my evening stroll. Reminds me of the beach.
I started listening to NF in the beginning of 2020. I remember that the younger brother of a really close friend had flooded my phone with so many of his songs – mostly from his Search album. I always put off listening to them because I was way too busy listening to Alan Walker and the likes. Then one day, I decided to listen. I listened to ONLY and I listened again and again until I could spit out every single words he wrote.
Then I listened to THE SEARCH and CHANGE before LEAVE ME ALONE my absolute favourite – not before MY STRESS though. I listened over and over until I could repeat the bars and mostly because he was just so relatable. So, I took it way back, browsing his life before he hit it with MANSION. I discovered he was a gospel singer/rapper who finally became brave enough to strip himself of the labels and do what he was born to.
I have my favourites too from that time and 2015. I loved listening to this man who gave bars without having to cuss or use degrading words to put down women or anyone; whose videos were wholesome (errrr, maybe not always) and was PG (you might wanna skip THERAPY SESSION for this one). I also felt my heart rumble with joy when he released THE MIXTAPE and I could tell he had grown a lot since he wrote REAL. I don’t know, it just felt good to be part of something even if from the distance. I see why it’s called fangirling, only that I respect his marriage and him as a person – he’s not an object.
Inspired by @ablaze Threetunestuesday, I want to share my absolute favourite three from his recent EP, FEAR.
H O M E
This is my absolute favourite. NF has the ability to make his songs relay whatever emotion he was feeling while he wrote.
This song is dedicated to his grandmother who died while he was on tour. He’s basically saying that he would keep doing things they used to do and she isn’t gone just living in a different home.
The loss of a loved one is one hard thing to deal with. Personally, I don’t think I have faced the full impact of it, but I lost two kittens and I would not even want to be reminded about them for a week or see anything remotely associated with them because my heart felt like there was a gaping hole. I was shaken.
I can’t even begin to compare this to what he or anyone must have felt. This song was everything the moment I heard it and I knew I would be stuck listening to it for a long time. I’m just glad that NF is the kind of gem who knows how to channel every single one of his emotions into his craft. It’s always a burst of colour. This one is no different.
F E A R
This is the first track. I had to pay rapt attention to what he said and how it made me feel.
It was a whole lot. The video was clearly sending a message, lots of it. What I understood was how much Nate was spiraling and how his HOPE may not be enough to save him.
His fears coming to life and his condition playing a part in that. It was a whole lot and I’m not really good at decoding stuff, I just like to watch and then interpret for me.
So, seems darkness finally won and he faced his fears even if he was powerless to do anything. We see that in the end with old Nate (in black) taking the keys to the mansion back.
This building made me want to try replicating Nate’s Mansion with my very questionable skills…lol
I know it seems incredibly selfish but this song of his came at such a time for me. It’s like he encapsulated all that I’m experiencing in a few lines:
“Make all my hopes and my dreams come to life just to lay them to rest”
He was clearly having a conversation with God and in so many ways, it just reminded me of a verse in the Bible and what I’m going through. Everything falling over and not making sense but then in the midst of it faith remains. Although we would all have different opinions.
GIVE ME A REASON
Now, boy! This is the NF I am so familiar with. This is the NF that wrote REAL, RETURNS, WHEN I GROW UP and the likes.
That grit and dedication is right there and this is currently top on my workout songs. So, his lyrics are basically self explanatory. He wants new challenges, it’s all gotten comfortable. Or not.
It’s fire honestly, we always need fuel so we can climb that new mountain. Can’t wait to see what comes next.
I’ll stop here now. Have you heard his recent releases? Which one of them is your favorite?
Screenshot from Spotify
B O N U S
This happened to be my favourite reaction video to the EP. I can’t get over how real everything was for everyone connected on there – including me.
Sending you some Ecency curation votes!
Thank you ☺️
The Fear EP is so real and has been played non-stop by me..
My favorites are Fear, Sorry and that song with MGK...
😭✨
Somehow I can't fit Give Me a Reason into the album...😭😭😂😂😂
I get it. Hahaha. But bro, these three have been on repeat. Truly awesome guy.
I've never really listened to NF, but my friends daughter is really into him. I think they went and saw him in concert a while ago. From what I recall they said it was a really good show.
One thing I’m hoping for is that he comes to Nigeria someday. Even if he doesn’t, I’ll attend one someday. Hehehe. He is good, lyrically and poetically.