Review Summary: TikTok doesn't even want this.
Let’s go back in time, a simpler time; 2010. Drake's “Thank Me Later”, his debut album, a record with many (so many) flaws, but it had a lot of promise. Tracks like “Over”, “Up All Night”, “Shut It Down” and “Find Your Love” showed promise for the new Canadian rapper. This record came out during a time when hip-hop was nearing its apex on the pop-rap trend, but a slow push was being seen for a more sensual and darker sound that would take over the airwaves a few years later. So, in the coming years we saw his sophomore and junior records: “Take Care” and “Nothing Was the Same” evolve Drake into his signature sound: bouncy, atmospheric, and light instrumentals with heartfelt vocals that resonated with his listeners. That very sound would go onto influence countless rappers for the next several years and push the boundaries of what popular hip-hop and RnB could sound like.
Now, let's bring it back to the year of our lord 2020; what in the mother f@*! happened. “Dark Lane Demo Tapes” sounds like an artist trying to grab every influence he can that will bring him the most money possible. Drake went from the guy who could easily write lyrics that would break hearts, piss off parents, and confuse your everyday radio listener, to someone who so daintily steps around everything so he doesn’t get his own heartbroken, piss off anyone, or confuse any listener. From the opening track “Deep Pocket” we get a front-row seat to an artist both losing himself sonically and lyrically. We are greeted to a sleazy beat with annoying static in the background that irritates the ear after one minute of constant listening. It sounds like he wanted it to sound “lo-fi” but didn't know how to achieve it naturally so he forced it in. From there we get “When to Say When” which sounds like a track missing from Kanye West’s “Late Registration”, but if Kanye didn’t care how his beats, or lyrics, sounded. For example: “And I got your girl on the second floor, beggin' me to put it in, And it's not because all of the money that you wouldn't spend”; I get the sentiment but it comes off so corny and unflattering. These continually awkward lyrics with even more awkward beats continue through tracks like “Not You Too”, “Desire”, “D4L”, “From Florida With Love” and “War”. But there is no saving grace for what he poses on his fifth track.
“Toosie Slide”, the new pinnacle of forcing an unneeded TikTok trend. From the annoying, one-dimensional trap beat with the barely audible synth in the background to lyrics like: “Don't you wanna dance with me? No?, I could dance like Michael Jackson, I could give you thug passion”. It really makes you question, what is going on inside their head. Drake fans get fed a lot of garbage the last few albums he has released, but this is something they shouldn’t even have to sit through. For such a top dog artist like Drake to come out with something this trash is only something Eminem fans have come close to understand.
Now there are some decent qualities about this album that at least brings something to the table. “Chicago Freestyle” is one of the hardest hitting songs that Drake has released in a long time. Drake reflecting on his youth and how it evolved him into who is today is moving to listen to. Especially since it is complemented by the minimal chorus sung by Giveon. Also tracks “Desires”, “Time Flies”, “Pain 1993”, and “Demons” are all strong showings of when Drake does the cloud rap style justice and shows some moving lyrics about family and trauma that really makes you feel for him.
In conclusion, Drake is really showing a complete loss of inspiration and is taking influence by the ones he originally influenced. It’s hard to say where he will go from here and I don’t know if I care to see it (and this is coming from someone who already has never been a fan of Drake, to begin with). From the sloppy instrumental choices, the cringy lyrics, and the boring flows, Drake is showing nothing of importance here. There are some decent highlights here and there, but nothing that makes me want to go back and listen to it again. I am not mad at Drake. Honestly, I am not even disappointed. I am confused about how someone can go from influencer to unoriginal so quickly.
