After listening to Drake’s Scorpion nonstop for an entire week, I’ve concluded that this is probably one of the better Drake albums I’ve heard in years, but for an interesting set of reasons.

When I first got introduced to Drake, he primarily dabbled in rap with some hints of R&B. His albums were primarily hip hop albums that had some R&B tracks. This balance would continue until we got to Views, where it seemed to be a weird inconsistent mix with a few gems and several throwaways.

I think what caused a bulk of my disappointment with Views is that I went in expecting what I got from a lot of Drake’s prior albums, a lot of rap with some R&B. I got more R&B, and even pop from Views.

Fast forward to Scorpion, Drake does what I wish he did for us years ago. Drake gives us two albums in one with a double album; a straight hip hop banger with some hints of R&B; and an R&B/pop album on the second disc. It works because I’m not forced to listen to his R&B stuff, but because it’s an option I’m more likely to give it a listen when I’m feeling it.

Side B is actually pretty solid, and has some bangers. “After Dark,” and “Final Fantasy” are straight fire (yes there is a track on this album called “Final Fantasy, and it has its purpose). The hip hop side is solid with tracks like “Survival”, “8 Out of Ten”, “Sandra’s Rose”, and “Is There More”, all of which are some of the best Drake tracks I’ve heard in years. Shout out to “Mob Ties” for the Nas sample.

I’m really feeling these albums since I get to choose what Drake I’m in the mood for at any given time. If I’m feeling amped, Side A it is. If I’m feeling soft and wanna be in my feelings, Side B gets bumped.

This album brings me back to the days of Outkast’s Speakerboxx/The Love Below, a double album where each member of the group partook in their own solo ventures. Speakerboxx, done by Big Boi, stays true to the signature Outkast style. The Love Below, done by Andre 3000 experiments with some R&B, pop, and funk. I feel that this was the primary inspiration for this project, and it works well; a very solid double album indeed.

8/10

 

Flemmings Beaubrun is an avid gamer and lover of music. When not working, Flemmings likes to spend his time whipping up dank beats for the masses. He also spends his weekends thrift shopping for rare video games and obscure electronics. Other times he’s in front of a TV with a giant bowl of cereal enjoying shows from the 90s.