Fear may be one of the most vulnerable emotions: admitting a weakness, mind-numbing regret, a mental obstacle that often disarms our ability to move forward. Fear acts as a mirror, reflecting one’s darkest thoughts, which are difficult to even admit to ourselves. Fear is the vehicle driving away from dreams and desires, fuelled by insecurity and the worst possible outcome. NF‘s latest EP, FEAR, encapsulates the multi-platinum rapper and producer’s latest dose of authentic heart-baring confessions.
FEAR is NF’s first release since his 2023 chart-topping album HOPE. The rapper takes his loyal fanbase on a turbulent journey through yet another self-discovery project, where he strips himself of ego and expectations, and continues to add self-aware depictions of his darkest realisations to his critically acclaimed discography.
Listening to the six tracks, NF proves he can make you stop and listen. With haunting productions throughout the EP, he creates an illusion of escalating emotion that often culminates in bursts of flame, as referenced in FEAR‘s cover art.
It would be impossible to comment on NF’s music without considering his artistic visual portrayal. Opening the EP, the title track, supported by a powerful music video, offers an excellent conceptualisation of NF’s take on fear as an emotion. Despite fighting the lingering anxiety, the rapper depicts the debilitating sensation of surrender to the loss of hope, and voice to complete darkness, as he is being lifted, strangled with ropes. Going hand-in-hand, fear befriends crippling anxiety, “is this what you wanted?” NF pleads in anger.
On the second song, ‘HOME’, NF explores the heartache of letting a loved one go, a topic I’m also actively trying to understand. It all comes down to the five stages of grief, and at first, denial is the easiest response, as NF recalls, waiting by the phone, hoping for an answer, and seeing them soon. ‘HOME’ avoids accepting one’s absence and instead lets in the glimpses of light with memories, as the shadows of the inevitable end slowly take them away.
NF joins forces with two artists for this EP, who were meant to collaborate, and the result is an absolute symbiosis. On ‘WHO I WAS,’ mgk shows off his OG rap talents and aligns with NF’s lifetime of getting hits and being able to get back up each time. NF’s verse takes accountability for his mistakes and downfalls. The second feature, being James Arthur, NF’s merciful storytelling complements Arthur’s strong vocals, asking for a second chance and forgiveness on ‘SORRY.’
On the closing track, ‘WASHED UP,’ accompanied by slightly darker visuals, NF changes from a white tracksuit to a black one. Throughout the song, he battles with constant self-doubt, questioning his drive and hunger for this career, “where’s that ‘tell it like it is, don’t let the label hush it’?/ but I’d be lying through my teeth if I said I don’t think my moment passed”. At the end, we see a burning house, fans speculate it resembles the same house from NF’s debut LP, The Mansion.
FEAR does not hold back. NF does not shy away from the uglier confessions and uses his talents for eloquent storytelling to express his latest life’s hurdles. Despite the daunting undertones, NF gives his listeners what they always come back for: honest, relatable outbursts that make the world feel smaller and less alone for those who fear facing their own mirror reflections.
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Words: Karolina Kramplova
Photographer: Jon Taylor Sweet