Michael LaBossiere, Freshman, Guest Writer
When 37-year-old Drake released his eighth studio album For All the Dogs, the listener knew he was burnt out. Who can blame him? Dominating the hip-hop industry for the past 15 years is tough. The album has an infuriating blend of great songs and not-so-great ones. Critics and casuals alike agree that even the best songs in the album weren’t due to him, but the artists that were featured: J Cole on “First Person Shooter,” SZA on “Slime You Out,” and Yeat on “IDGAF” to name a few. Avid Drake listeners know what he is capable of, and this album is a letdown.
How does Drake respond? Instead of taking the one-year break from music as he promised, he decides to drop a six-song EP that shocks his fans and proves that he is not going anywhere.
For All the Dogs Scary Hours Edition. Everything about this is different. The first song of the six, “Red Button,” opens with a whimsical beat of voices harmonizing, along with a faint drum beat and bell jingle. This song has one theme: Drake is on the top, and everyone else is below. His long and lustrous career has made him cocky. He speaks upon this repeatedly with beautiful flow and rhyme, like his very first line of the song, “Most decorated, competition decimated.” Instantly upon listening to this song, it was evident that Drake has gotten out of the hole he dug for himself.
His next four tracks have almost angelic beats that show his vulnerable side. While basking in the glory of his accomplishments, he finds himself jealous of his past, bored of the music industry, and reflecting on his rise to stardom. Drake isn’t a stranger to showing his weaker side, but this EP is cracking down on his imperfections. Nonetheless, he executes this beautifully.
On his last track, “You Broke My Heart,” we see a mood change. Again, there was a unique beat that could only be described as uplifting, full of brass instruments and piano that blend perfectly. But instead of examining his problems, he lets go and expresses his anger for the hate he faces. He says, “Disrespect that I just shouldn’t take, you just couldn’t see the good in Drake.” As the beat drops, it is like his emotions have exploded, as he delivers an intense yet meaningful flow that will leave the listener in awe.
Drake delivered meaningful messages, head-bopping lyrics, and melodies that created some of the best music we have seen from him in the last five years.