Over the course of just a few years, Canadian rapper
NAV went from a strong online presence with self-produced tracks of
Drake-esque, feelings-heavy trap to chart-topping albums on
the Weeknd's major-label offshoot imprint XO. Employing the same minimal production and melodic sensibilities as
Drake and same druggy lyrical narratives as
Future,
NAV's output looked to mainstream rap for its blueprint. Second album
Bad Habits follows the formula of both
NAV's 2018 debut
Reckless and his 2017 collaboration with
Metro Boomin', Perfect Timing. Empty atmospheric beats make plenty of space for
NAV's flexing raps about girls, money, drugs, and fame, hitting high points on single "Know Me" and the
Gunna-assisted "Hold Your Breath." ~ Fred Thomas