Soundcheck: Album Review — Drake's 'Take Care'
posted in: Reviews & Playlists • Urban
As he prepares to release his sophomore studio album, Take Care, fans and critics continue to speculate whether Drake will top his platinum-selling debut. According to the twenty-five-year-old Young Money superstar, he doesn’t have much to worry about.
Last week, Drake told the L.A. Times, To be 100% honest ¦ I wasn’t necessarily happy with Thank Me Later. People loved it [but] I just knew what I was capable of with a little more time, he said. I’m very confident in Take Care. I definitely made the exact album that I wanted. Will it appear that way to the world? I’m not sure, because its definitely different. It’s not fifteen ‘I’m On Ones’ It’s not ‘She Will’. I’m very happy with Take Care. More so than I’ve ever been with a project.
The Canadian rapper hopes to showcase his growth as an artist and a person in the nineteen-track album, which includes two bonus songs. With features from Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, The Weeknd, Andre 3000 and Rihanna, among others, Drake said he hoped to create a consistent project.
This album has consistency. You will not hear a piece of music that does not belong, he said. The words were really important to me. When you get a young artist and they are on the rise, often the music becomes not what they have going on in their lives or surrounding things, but it starts to lose substance. You can always be like, ˜Man I’m the ¦’ but I think you have to thread some life in there so there’s something that will last.
While at times some songs do sound awfully familiar, Take Care does show some lyrical and emotional growth from the young emcee, providing a more introspective, honest look at the inner workings of Aubrey ˜Drake’ Graham. The albums leaked last week, (not bad for such a highly-anticipated project) and hit stores today.
Here, a brief review:
Crew Love: One of the more puzzling tracks on the album features The Weeknd, who showcases his strong vocals against Drake’s usual flow. The beat is a back and forth of slow and fast and doesn’t really pick up until minute two.
The Real Her ft. Andre 3000 & Lil Wayne: Another song for the ladies shouts out girls from (where else) Houston, Atlanta and Vegas. The song starts slow with Drake’s usual crooning, then heats up with Weezy‘s short verse and a quick note from Outkast’s Andre 3000, who spits characteristically powerful prose.
Shot For Me: This was a track I wish he left off the album. His soft singing voice condescendingly delivers lines like Bitch I’m the man/ yea I said it/ Bitch I’m the man/ don’t you forget it. The weak opening is followed by a slightly stronger rap verse where Drake promises his ex he never cheated. Not buying it.
We’ll Be Fine: Not one of my favorite tracks, he does deliver some interesting lines and shouts out the late Aaliyah. Never thoughts of suicide I’m too alive/ but I still treat it like it’s do or die…/Seems like yesterday I was up and coming/ still too young/ I ain’t got enough of nothing.
Make Me Proud ft. Nicki Minaj: This track is headed to the top of the charts and features all-star duo Drake and Nicki doing what they do best. The catchy hook is characteristically Drizzy and Nicki doesn’t disappoint with her lightning-fast lyrics.
The Motto ft. Lil Wayne: This track features a new flow from Drake. I loved hearing him spit a little faster, and it came off more like a freestyle than a verse. Weezy spits fire as well, making it one of the strongest tracks on the album.
Take Care ft. Rihanna: One of the only up-tempo tracks on the album features Rihanna for another hopeful hit. Unfortunately, this one doesn’t compare to their other collaborations. RiRi’s hook falls flat, and Drake’s verse is just¦ehhh.
Doing It Wrong: Drizzy gets five stars for honesty on this one. In it, he spits the harsh truth about relationships today, and offers a strong dose of reality to the women of the world. When a good thing goes bad its’ not the end of the world/ its just the end of the world that you had with one girl¦/ cry if you need to but I cant stay to watch you/ it’s the wrong thing to do./ Touch if you need to but I cant stay to hold you/ it’s the wrong thing to do/ talk if you need to but I can’t stay to here you/ it’s the wrong thing to do /you’ll say you love me and I’ll end up lying and say I love you too/ But I need someone different/ you know it. Ouch.
Lord Knows ft. Rick Ross: A lot of nigg*s came up off the style that I made up/ but if all I hear is me then who should I be afraid of? Over choir-backed production, Drake rises to the big sounds with big verses, in one of his more lyrical turns on the album, he shines alongside Ross, who makes a strong showing. The duo enjoyed making his cut so much, they’ve decided to record a collaborative mixtape, Y.O.L.O. (You Only Live Once). Last week, he told XXL he’s been working on the project for weeks, but is waiting for Ross to recover from his health issues so they could record it.
Practice: Drake opens this song with I taste pain and regret in your sweat/ you’ve been waiting for me/ I can tell that you’ve been practicing¦ Then, he breaks into his own rendition of Juvenile’s Back Dat Ass Up. I taste pain and regret in that choice, since it continues through the whole song and just comes off as easy and weird.
Look What You’ve Done: One of my favorite tracks, seems more like a diary entry than a verse. As Drake travels back through time starting with 2009, then 2006, talking about a teenage love that lasted through his rise to the top. What’s striking about this track is how real it seems, exposing a true vulnerability we haven’t seen from Drake before.
Overall, I’d say Take Care accomplished its mission. There are enough strong tracks to keep Drake at the top, and the kid knows his audience. While I’d argue that he missed the mark on a few selections, I concede that perfection is a pipe dream. Buy Take Care today and be your own judge.