From “Take Care” to “Certified Lover Boy”, and “For All The Dogs,” rapper and artist Drake has released his 17th album, “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” in collaboration with Canadian singer, PARTYNEXTDOOR.
The album blends R&B, hip-hop and rap and was released on Feb. 14.
I personally believe the album could have performed better and should've been reconsidered before releasing to fans, listeners and critics.
The project feels like a recycled or re-digested version of his past albums that could have stood out with creativity and depth.
Drake’s heavy-hitter song “Nokia,” which has gained significant attraction for its party-like feel and smooth R&B tones. Drake’s song “Gimme a Hug” ranks No.6 on the Billboard Hot 100, as “Nokia” lingers at No.10, according to Billboard Hot 100 Hits.
Drake exemplifies his emotions and heartache through themes of relationships, partying and creates a distinct atmosphere for OVO Sound.
Drake dedicated this new release to Toronto, according to a “Some $exy $ongs 4 U” album note.
“This album is for the city of Toronto, for Canada and for the world that has tuned into this sound of ours from time,” Drake said.
His top tracks out of the 21 are“Gimme a Hug,” “Nokia” and “CN Tower,” which have sparked various reactions and opinions by the fans, listeners and critics.
For example, the album garnered a score of 5.9 from review outlet Pitchfork.
“Gimme a Hug” embodies an R&B groove, opening with a sample of the gospel song, “Make a Joyful Noise” first sung by The Angelic Gospel Singers before transitioning into an upbeat rhythm that closes out the track.
The album’s fourteenth track, “Nokia,” illustrates a Y2K-inspired cadence, gradually slowing down to shift to Drake’s signature rap flow.
Y2K cadences shift with pop, hip-hop and electronic rhythms throughout the album, maintaining a dance and party-like feel to certain songs.
Meanwhile, the track “CN Tower” inserts R&B singer PARTYNEXTDOOR’s soft, melodic vocals.
“Celibacy” also exudes the vocals of PARTYNEXTDOOR, swiftly tuning into the signature OVO Sound atmosphere of smooth ambient R&B vocal mixes.
The heartbreak track, “Somebody Loves Me,” covers the questioning of love over Drake’s melodies and PARTYNEXTDOOR’s vocals.
“Meet Your Padre” features Chinco Pacas but fails to fully express the authentic Latin tones and rhythms of Latin Pop/Trap.
“Raining in Houston,” dives into the reminiscent timbre of PARTYNEXTDOOR, creating a scene of yearning and sympathy for romance.
Graham’s latest release after rap beef with Compton’s Kendrick Lamar—has mixed reviews as some critics and fans believe it was a comeback project and others consider it as a flop, according to a May 9, 2024 news article from BBC.
Although the album executes a mix of R&B, hip-hop, and rap, it lacks coherence and is perceived as a rushed compilation of songs rather than a crafted body of work.
Singer PARTYNEXTDOOR appeared throughout the album, reminiscing his intimate vocals and smooth electronic melodies. He curated the album with Drake, providing the jaded tone of the album.
Its sounds and tones are his signature trademark in the music industry, yet lacks lyrical depth and visual appeal.
It lacks depth and meaning, failing to reflect Drake’s full artistic potential and conveying the artist he is. It’s an imitation of other artists in the music industry, as seen in the track “Meet Your Padre.” I don’t believe this album will receive much acclaim as it feels like just another Drake release.
