Review: Nur-D bares his entire soul on 'HVN'
Reviews by: Andy Ellis, Writer @andysmileyjay
Edited by: Paul Thorson, Writer/Editor @Paulyt03
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Nur-D knows you got things to do. So when he puts out a 20-song album, you can be assured he’ll make good use of every single second. He’s going to take you on the emotional journey he’s been through up to this point.
It’s a musical ride done in that typical unforgettable Nur-D fashion. It’s an album that runs the gamut of determination to succeed, standing up against oppression, and so much more. And you know he brought plenty of friends along for the ride, especially his FairPlay Entertainment crew.
Starting at 100 Percent
The album’s intensity is stated right away on the title track and opener, “HVN,” which includes a perfectly placed Phil Collins sample. I could feel Nur-D’s statement of “I’m not going anywhere” in his performance as he lines up his vocals with every beat of the drum before the chorus begins. That moment sets up the song’s, and the rest of the album’s, urgent energy — he’s ready.
“The Storm” shares that same defiant spirit. The song has a definite slow build with a filter that provides that feeling of the rain coming down before the Nur-D storm hits. Once it does hit, however, there’s no going back.
Sharing the Spotlight
It wouldn’t be a Nur-D project without some great guest spots by other local Minnesota MCs. There’s a plethora of talent out in this big backyard of ours, so I love that Nur-D uses his success to shed as much of a spotlight as possible on the larger local indie Hip-Hop scene. It’s a great way to discover new artists.
“Angels Round Me” put Nur-D’s clear and concise rhymes over a beat that builds anticipation to a sped-up two-step drum beat and combines the two. His quick cadence goes along great with this production, and the way he matches certain rhymes to snare hits is a great touch. I could listen to that section over and over.
Then it’s time for Nakara Forje. When she comes in, I can almost see her ascending into the blue sky like an angel with a halo over her head. She rhymes with the clarity of a poet delving into who she’s carrying with her on this journey and the confidence she has for what the future holds.
On “Fix My Eyes,” Nur-D takes collaboration to a whole new level. He gives fellow FairPlay MC LT. Sunny the spotlight for most of the song. And we are greatly rewarded.
This song feels like it could be a mix of a love song and a spiritual track. Sunnie’s cadence feels like she’s offering a prayer to a higher power but also talking about someone she feels a strong connection to. There’s a renewed clarity she feels about this person that really stands out.
Music as the Medium for the Message
Nur-D’s activism against police brutality is given plenty of room on this record. “Revolution” brought me back to 90s Hip-Hop with Public Enemy. I could see Nur-D, Lewiee Blaze, and the rest of the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Band performing this in front of a massive crowd ready to take to the streets.
“Mr. Officer” stopped me in my tracks the first time I listened to it. It’s a perspective I’ve never really thought about before, and I’m more than a little embarrassed I hadn’t.
The song’s vibe, Nur-D’s vocal performance, and Tuvok-the-Word’s verse are understated, which makes sense. They’ve acknowledged the high probability that their life may be cut short by a bullet fired from a police officer’s gun. For them, it’s become an unfortunate fact of living, and all they want is a raincheck to enjoy life’s simple pleasures for a while longer.
There’s also a bass-heavy beat that helps paint this picture of trying to go out on the town for the night and enjoy life. At the same time, they’re also expecting to see police sirens speeding toward them at any given moment. The lyrics Nur-D and Tuvok-the-Word use are so painfully normal that they really help drive this perspective home.
“Save Me” is an impassioned plea for help. In this one, Nur-D isn’t addressing his oppressors but those who sit on the sidelines. He knows in order for this fight to leave lasting change, there’s strength in numbers — everyone has to do their part.
The song’s production and Nur-D’s performance nail a feeling of desperation and exhaustion. There can be no change with just the same people taking to the streets, and Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech about the white moderate choosing comfort over deliberate action nails the point home. It’s going to take more than thoughts and prayers.
Making Every Second Count
To prove there is no wasted space on this project, Nur-D lets us into his mind on “HVN Intermission 3.” It’s not hook-driven at all, which he addresses in the song’s actual chorus. But it’s a very powerful stream-of-conscious piece of music from an artist who is very aware that who he is doesn’t fit into a tight box.
For many others, this would be an inner monologue or a lengthy journal entry no one ever sees. But Nur-D has decided just to lay it all out there and say, “This is who I am. I’m not perfect, but I’m trying my best.” It’s one of the album’s standout moments.
There is so much packed into this record that I wasn’t able to write about it all. But if you want the most accurate and immersive experience of what it’s like to be in another person’s shoes and to go through everything they have truly — listen to HVN. I’m going to warn you that you may need to sit in silence for a while after to really process everything you just heard, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that were Nur-D’s goal all along.
A Special Gift
HVN is proof that Nur-D himself has a superpower. He can navigate having fun and addressing serious topics with ease. The way he does it also makes it very consumable for even the most conflict-resistant listener.
This is his long-awaited origin story that even HBO could not cancel, and I’m ready for whatever’s next.
Purchase Nur-D’s HVN on Bandcamp, or listen wherever you stream your music.
