NAV brings likes of Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Baby, and more on the latest project Demons Protected By Angels.
Our Rating: 9.1/10
NAV has earned a name for creating records that really are substantial collections of effort throughout his comparatively short musical career. NAV makes albums that can be played from start to finish with virtually no fluff, such as the 2019 CD Bad Habits.
After delivering a new project, Nav has a history of disappearing into his hidden bunker. Nav has maintained his presence in the spotlight for the previous two years by collaborating with musicians such as Rowdy Rebel and previewing his new album. Now, the artist launched his long-awaited solo album, Demons Protected By Angels, including cameos from some of rap’s biggest heavyweights. Travis Scott and Lil Baby participated in the project’s debut song, “Never Sleep,” as did Future, Don Toliver, Lil Uzi Vert, Gunna, and others.
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NAV has returned, and he did it in style! NAV’s latest record is by far his greatest effort. He put out such a solid record. A superb record with amazing sound and performances. A collection with 19 sounds that never gets tiresome. An album on which he sounds better than ever, particularly with his flow on songs like ‘Dead Shot’ (greatest song of 2022) and ‘Mismatch.’ Even just the lowest songs on this item aren’t even near to the stuff he’s done previously; he really put his efforts behind every particular song on this LP.
“Count on Me” is a trippy beginning created by Mike Dean about self-identity crises, whilst “Baby” takes a somewhat more orchestral turn with Boi-1da encouraging his lover to rest and perform her part. Lil Uzi Vert joins for “Dead Shot,” contrasting himself to the DC Comics supervillain of the exact title over an uninspired Pro Logic accompaniment. Then Lil Baby and Travis Scott connect for melody fusion “Never Sleep,” studded by Tay Keith and boasting about developing their own histories.
“Never Sleep” is tougher to drink than hot beer. To begin, the song includes a warn trap rhythm that offers an important basis for Travis Scott, Lil Baby, and NAV to discuss their problems. But the real kicker is that they accomplish exactly that! The verses of the three discuss reputation, concealed firearms, and ladies getting treated casually. While I believe Travis Scott is the headliner of the track, I appreciate how everybody sounds to be on an egotistical page.
Beginning with “Last of the Mohicans,” NAV prays To god to save himself and questions why he lost Lil Keed this previous spring before Future-assisted “One Time” arrives with an enticing Wheezy rhythm and a message about having fun with some girls.
In clubs with severe dress rules, I’m trying to hear “One Time.” The melody can make smoking a hookah more calming rather than energizing you. In all honesty, “One Time” is made exceptional by Don Tolliver’s silky smooth hook and Future’s beautiful rap delivery. NAV’s technique, in my opinion, completely misrepresents the mood of the song. Ultimately, Steph Curry lost the 2015 NBA Finals MVP award to Andre Iguodala, yet both players still managed to claim the title.
BenjiCold gives “Demons in My Cup” an angry feel as he relies on trying to solve his troubles, immediately before “Playa” with Gunna boasts in a more contemplative manner. My terrible tendency is to minimize NAV’s contribution on his joint tracks. I can honestly state that he competes with Gunna in “Playa.” Yes, Gunna completely kills the chorus and delivers a smooth chorus that establishes the song’s mood, but in my opinion, NAV’s combative and assured stanza is what makes the song successful. Whatever the situation, “Playa” is an excellent tune.
As Lil Durk’s “My Dawg” features a sound with a beachy feel, “Weirdo” aims for just a drizzy look while speaking about his favorite rapper smirking at him anytime he talks. When “Interstellar” featuring Uzi laces some crying synthesizers into the mix claiming all they do is intrusive, “Don’t Compare” goes into more philosophical territory speaking of presenting his lover as the genuine him.
If you know NAV, you know that one of his best works is also his most fragile. In “Don’t Compare,” he falls back on that idea. Some things are inevitable to occur if you’re with a girl you can bank on. That’s the primary idea of this song. Throughout the song, NAV discusses talking to anyone he considers to be the right partner. While the song has a Drake-like beat, NAV’s delivery is unique.
The poorest featured on the album is provided by RealestK on “Lost Me,” with the album’s pianist backdrop and concerns of breaking one’s trust. However, NAV bounces more than a beautiful trap rhythm on “Loaded,” boasting that all of his pockets had popped. In “Reset,” featuring Bryson Tiller, they convey their wish to rebuild their relationships in a good trap/R&B fusion, while in “Mismatch,” with Babyface Ray, the reigning King of Detroit, they plead with listeners to just not misjudge them based on the history.
The track for “Mismatch” has a frenetic speed that NAV and Babyface Ray can really catch pace with. Do they blend fast rhythms with super arrogant, hustle-inspired, and wild raps in the track NAV mention he continues driving while intoxicated? Did NAV just admit he’s afraid of stepping on the uncovered territory? Overall, “Mismatch” is a brief but excellent street album.
The song “Wrong Decisions” was indeed a good option for a song because of its foggy instrumentation and actual content, which details the drawbacks of popularity, whereas the concluding track, “Destiny,” keeps the roomy rhythms flowing and talks about becoming the person he was supposed to be. Nevertheless, “Ball in Peace”—a tear-jerking dedication to his buddy jayxxclusive3 who died away earlier this year—may be the finest ending track of a NAV CD to date. NAV dedicates his song “Ball In Peace (Outro)” to his prison buddy, maybe Young Thug. He sincerely conveys his grief, frustration, and gratitude through his lyrics. The song’s emotive tempo, subdued rhythms, steady flows, and captivating atmosphere will likely attract your notice more than the excellent lines he spits.
This CD features some fantastic guest performances. It genuinely astonished me that no one submitted forwarded performances. While I loved Babyface Ray, RealestK, and Lil Uzi Vert’s efforts, Don Toliver, Future, and Gunna’s talents stick out to me the best.
He began as a producer, however, these days he heavily depends on other producers. Samples by Tay Keith, Wheezy, and others can be found on Demons Protected By Angels. The excellent thing is that NAV is doing a stellar job on this record of hopping-scotching between moving, R&B-Esque rhythms, and some tough trap. You have to give NAV credit for being able to produce albums that sound well together.
But I’m unhappy it’s not largely self-produced, as he originally stated since NAV has always been a wonderful producer in my view, Demons Protected by Angels is a pretty nice listen and quite probably his most steady discography so far in this. The songwriting is improving, he seems less mechanical and more natural as in much of his previous work, the production is more precise, and practically every character is accurate. Hopefully, he’ll keep moving forward from here.
NAV is doing an excellent job of being frail discussing his affection for his friends, his personal problems, and his bringing in little sections of Demons Protected By Angels. He has a remarkable knack for psychologically engaging listeners, in my opinion.
Overall, not everybody will be interested in this LP. NAV is disliked by some individuals for many reasons as people think he sounds robotic and flows a bit mechanical, but you can see he takes a lot of thought into his works, which is likely why he won’t release it in July. But we’ll let you make that decision.
