NF, “HOPE.”

It’s been a few years since NF last released an album, and his fans have been salivating for a return from the somber MC. However, what we find on his newest release, HOPE, is a change in direction for the Michigan rapper. He moves toward embracing a more active and positive outlook following a number of changes within his life. NF opens up about how his marriage and the birth of his child have led to an epiphany. He’s now striving for a silver lining; not for his sake but for those around him.

Even as NF (Nathan Feuerstein) continues to white-knuckle his traumatic experiences while fending off inner demons as he did on CLOUDS, he perseveres on HOPE.

The album opens with the lead single and title track, setting the tone with a grand cinematic production of somber piano and swelling strings. NF explores how he has endured a difficult journey through life and how it led him to become the person he is today.

The next track, “MOTTO,” serves as his own anti-pop anthem. He maligns the act of creating music for mass appeal rather than for substance. The instrumental is carried once again with a piano and string melody as snare and bass drum build on it. Rapper Cordae makes a guest appearance on “CAREFUL,” on which chanting drives the melody as a powerful bass groove follows suit. Cordae and NF openly brag about the wealth they’ve attained through their careers, attributing it to carefully measured risks.

“MAMA” is easily the heaviest cut on the album. Here NF speaks directly to his mother, who passed away when he was young. He somberly asks her about the afterlife and her interactions with God, followed by expressing his sorrow about having lost her. “HAPPY” is anything but. It’s the runner-up for saddest song on the album. NF allows all his negative thoughts to come in and surround him as he ruminates in a negative feedback loop about how to be happy—and if he is even capable of it.

The rapper subsequently shakes it off with “PANDEMONIUM,” where pounding electronic percussion and warping tones reenergize him. He comes out swinging as he embraces a more self-confident version of himself, emphasizing his strengths as a writer and performer. “SUFFICE” maintains this hot streak as NF raps over heavily washed-out and echoing instrumentals.

Continuing with pairing songs that play off of each other, NF groups “GONE” and “BULLET.” The former is a breakup song on which NF reflects on a previously failed relationship. It features a lovely vocal performance from Julia Michaels. The latter has him reaffirming his love for his wife and their child.

“TURN MY BACK” sees him air out some grievances from earlier in his career; he describes how he dedicated himself to mastering the craft as a musician—only to be dismissed by his peers at the time. He then calls those people out for now trying to ride his coattails, fronting like they were always down with him.

On “MISTAKE,” we see NF ruminating once again about how afraid he is that he’ll take a catastrophic misstep at some point. Whether it’s in his life or career, the ever-present dread follows him around, and even more piano and strings carry on throughout. “LET EM PRAY” similarly follows. He ponders how complacency could cause him to stifle his career, heaping on more anxiety as he raps over warping synths.

The album concludes with a twist on breakup song “RUNNING,” on which NF sings over acoustic guitar and decides he no longer wants to continue carrying the weight of his depression. It’s an uplifting closing note, neatly coalescing the theme of the album together. As he continues to grow as an artist and as a person, perhaps this is a turning point. He seems to understand that there still can be a brighter tomorrow.

Follow hip-hop critic Tim Hoffman at Twitter.com/hipsterp0tamus.