DRAKE’S ‘VIEWS’
6 SONGS YOU NEED TO HEAR OFF HIS NEW ALBUM
One year and nine months ago, Drake announced his fourth solo album (originally titled Views from the 6 but shortened simply to Views just before its release last week). Not that it has been radio silence ever since: The Toronto rapper had his biggest year yet in 2015, thanks in part to a surprise mixtape (If You’re Reading This It’s
Too Late), joint Future album ( What a Time to Be Alive) and meme-able megahit ( Hotline Bling). The wait has finally ended.
But how does Views really stack up to Drake’s recent output? For starters, it’s a much more chilled-out effort than expected, hewing closer to 2011’s sensitive Take Care than the chest-thumping bombast of buzz single Summer
Sixteen (his upcoming tour’s namesake, although not included in the new collection). Clocking in at 20 songs and nearly an hour and a half, Views is equal parts intriguing and lethargic — overstuffed and at times repetitive, but elevated by mesmerizing production and some of Drizzy’s strongest vocals to date.
It will take some time to listen to this hometown love letter from Drake. But if you’re in a rush, here are six must-hear tracks that quickly caught our attention.
1U
WITH ME? Sure, we’re disappointed that Kanye West’s bars were cut from
Pop Style, but he still shares coproducing credits with 40 on this twitchy, DMX-sampling ballad. Grilling his lover about their relationship status, Drake effortlessly soars into his upper register on the lurid third verse, in which he ruefully recounts their assignations.
2 WITH
YOU (FEAT. PARTYNEXTDOOR) The first (and arguably best) guest spot on Views belongs to Drake’s OVO record label signee PartyNextDoor, whose smooth vocals meld perfectly with the rapper’s husky croon. But it’s the understated and entirely hypnotic production by Murda Beatz that makes the song, which is unfortunately one of the album’s shortest at just over 3 minutes.
3 FAITHFUL (FEAT. PIMP C
& DVSN) Until now, Drake has spent most of Views writing off fake friends and twisting the knife further into his broken heart. Which is precisely why this pulsing bedroom jam is such a refreshing change of pace, highlighted by some of Drizzy’s cleverest double entendres yet.
4 CONTROLLA
Pop music has been struck with a case of island fever, as evidenced by the dancehall influences washing over recent songs from Justin Bieber, Beyoncé and now Drake. Although Popcaan’s verses have been scrapped for the album, this laid-back love declaration still sizzles with a sample of Beenie Man’s Tear Off Mi Garment.
5 CHILDS
PLAY This is Drake storytelling of the highest caliber as he winningly details a petty argument going down at the mall. Guaranteed, this breezy number contains the greatest Cheesecake Factory reference you’ll hear in a rap song all year. (We love going there, too, Drizzy.)
6 TOO
GOOD (FEAT. RIHANNA) Song-of-summer prognosticators, take note. The superstar duo deliver yet another stellar collaboration on this tropical-flavored duet: the pair’s fourth musical outing and a low-key but just-as-steamy sequel to springtime smash Work. Seriously, you two, just give fans a joint album already.