Music critic Elvira Zarina-Cristino review Drakes gigantic new album For All The Dogs, finding it to be another worthy entry in his ever expanding oeuvre.
After the original release date was rescheduled, fans celebrated last Friday’s much anticipated release of For All The Dogs. Drake, currently touring the U.S, re-entered the music scene with a promise to his “OG” fans, this album would be for them. Since his debut album Thank Me Later in 2010, Drake, also known as Aubrey, climbed the charts, drawing in a total of 80.8 million monthly listeners to date – whilst also duetting with the likes of SZA, The Weeknd, PARTYNEXTDOOR and 21 Savage. Being known for his empathetic “heartbreak rap” has benefited the Canadian artist throughout his career, resonating with many of his fans along the way.
The R&B rapper has dominated the Spotify charts this week, with three of his singles from the 23-song album making the top ten. ‘First Person Shooter’, ‘IDGAF’ and ‘Virginia Beach’ have claimed the top spots for different reasons. ‘First Person Shooter’, featuring the poetical J.Cole, slots into the Hip-Hop Rap scene. Tumbling over words and experimenting with pace, Drake attempts to keep up with the lyrical wizard J.Cole, but after three minutes, he ultimately fails. The same can be applied to ‘IDGAF’ that features Yeat. Despite the promising beginning of the song, Drake is drowned out by Yeat’s infectious chorus, making it so popular on Tik Tok that it has become a trend mocking the Canadian rapper. Perhaps producing music whilst on tour was not such a good idea from Aubrey.
Perhaps producing music whilst on tour was not such a good idea from Aubrey.
Nonetheless, praise is given to ‘Virginia Beach’, a strong opening track with listeners claiming that ‘it is one of the best opening songs on an album’ that they have heard in a long time. It starts with a snippet from Frank Ocean’s gorgeous single ‘Wise Man’ and Drake proceeds to break hearts with his crafty lyrics: ‘I wanna get back to the days that you love me for nothin but what you could see.’ Clenching at heart-strings, the talented artist won over many with this line. Including myself.
Drake gradually unfolds his complex relationships to us throughout the album
Drake gradually unfolds his complex relationships to us throughout the album, especially in songs like ‘Bahama Promises’, ‘Drew a Picasso’ and a personal favourite ‘Polar Opposites.’ Each song expresses a battle with his feelings towards these romantic relationships, being self-aware of the fact that they are unhealthy for him. In ‘Bahama Promises’ he states, ‘And for someone you don’t miss, I sure feel like somebody you need’, accompanied by ‘Probably coulda made it work again if I was man enough to tell you, you was wrong’ in ‘Drew a Picasso’, as well as, ‘I don’t get hurt much, but I’m not invincible’ from ‘Polar Opposites’. I must credit Drake for not being afraid to publicly share his personal experiences through his gut-wrenching lyrics, leaving him exposed and opening room for us as listeners to sympathise and relate. These songs capture the essence of “OG” Drake the most and so are valued considerably more by fans.
Ultimately, Drake’s chosen genre of Hip-Hop Rap has some faults, yet he manages to redeem himself by slowing the tempo and diverting back to R&B. So, appealing far more to, as he likes to call them, “his dogs”. For All The Dogs exhibits a great sense of artistry,
combining stories as well as pure entertainment, which I believe is crucial in curating a memorable album – something that Drake has successfully accomplished.
Rating: 8.5/10
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