Ever since Nate Wood pressed songs like Anakin and Show Me it’s been clear to everyone who’s followed his career that Nate not only has the passion for his music but also a dedication to perfecting the craft of rap and hip hop that Living in 2 Worlds, his latest release, finally starts to put on display. Living in 2 Worlds has a strong lead in with Focused, a track that is reminiscent of a track that you would hear as a heavyweight boxer enters the ring in front of a sold out crowd and as the album unfurls it traverses different styles of hip hop and rap from hardcore heavy hitting beats of Un(wanted), Mil-walk-ay, and LOB to smooth jazzy melodic interludes of Hello Day and The Luv Aint There. Living in 2 Worlds also introduces new collaborations with artists like Tom Brady, Dom McNeal and Rina who add a significant amount of depth and character to the album as they introduce their own styles into Nate’s songs. It’s very clear that throughout Nate’s career he’s incorporated the stylings of other artists, local and major alike putting his own unique spin on their approach and his hard work and study is starting to pay off. There are so many good things to say about Living in 2 Worlds like the diversity in song composition and lyric writing along with Nate’s delivery which, in comparison to earlier releases, has been polished to a fine sheen. The only thing this album leaves me wanting is more work on harmony vocals. Dream On is literally only better vocals on the chorus and bridge away from being a hit song. Inconsistent harmony is present in other releases and just seems to be an issue of focus because in songs like Back Away and Focused, the vocals work very well to bring the song together. Another song that could just use a little more time in post-production is High Road, again a very muddy refrain distracts from a song that has a unique and powerful message. Overall Living in 2 Worlds puts on the forefront a very personal struggle of weighing Nate’s personal life as a pious musician and his professional life. Nate also shares struggles with piety and the temptations of everyday life. Tracks like The Luv Aint There, Hello Day, LOB and Back Away give us a glimpse into the many lives that Nate navigates and provides a foothold for listeners to relate to all the personal and professional struggles we all have to surmount on a daily basis. Living in 2 Worlds is a continued step in the right direction and proves to me that Nate is starting to come into his own as he continues to learn, perfect and deliver music in a way that leaves me wanting more and has lyrically creative ways to keep my head nodding and that finds me unable to get crafty hooks out of my head for days. His collaboration with Rina, Dom McNeal, Tom Brady and others on this record is tasteful and well placed and only adds to an already solid release. I’m really looking forward to whatever is next from Nate, Overdose to now, it’s clear that Nate will only get better. So if you’re just looking for a new summer jam in Hello Day or if you’re looking for just a great way to kick back with The Luv Aint There, pick up Living in 2 Worlds and keep your eyes on this guy that’s showing us all just how much the Holy Ghost has got him Chosen.