Honestly Nevermind_Final_ ‎26 ‎June ‎2022.wav

(originally published Sunday, ‎26 ‎June ‎2022)

(reposting in 2024 i feel very different about this album)

-the below show notes are ai generated from the full transcript available here, and might contain obvious (or not so obvious) errors-

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#004 honestly nevermind - drake | album review | show notes

Introduction (00:00:00): Okay, so Drake is back again. Welcome back! This episode I'm going to talk about Drake. Drake has dropped this new album. It was a surprise album actually, and I wasn't even expecting it. When I saw the album, I was really excited. I was like, wow, Drake is finally back or something. Maybe Drake has seen all the criticism and decided to drop all this stuff he's been holding back since... Or maybe he saw Kendrick Lamar drop a masterpiece and wanted to respond, give us another "Scorpion" or "Views," you know, good albums.

Overview (00:00:48): This episode will be a short review of Drake's new album and how I feel about it. The album came out last week, Friday, on the 17th of June. It was a surprise release, so I wasn't expecting it at all. I was really excited that Drake was dropping by midnight. However, listening to Drake has not been very consistent recently. To me, the last time Drake dropped a good album was in 2018 with "Scorpion." Before that, it was "More Life."

Album Background (00:01:28): Drake has been a talking point for a long time. Nobody is underestimating what Drake has done; he's a very good artist and a senior artist. He has been in the game for over a decade, so it's not like anyone is trashing his previous achievements. But people are criticizing his recent work. Why is he doing this to his career? As a Drake fan, I find myself critical because the last two albums Drake has made feel like he's abandoning his core fanbase.

Song Reviews

Favorite Songs (00:03:08): My favorite song off the album... After listening to the album for about a week, my opinion on it is that it gives me background music vibes. It's just playing in the background, and it's Drake. It's very mid, not what I was expecting, especially from a surprise album. It sounds okay, not garbage, but not exciting. People are tired of mid albums from Drake. Fans liked the "Scorpion" and "More Life" Drake, but this certified lover boy stage is boring.

Sticky (00:05:22): One of the songs I like off the album. It's catchy, and I enjoy the vibe.

Calling My Name (00:05:30): Another good track. It's enjoyable, but nothing groundbreaking.

Intro (00:05:36): I like the way it started, but it's very short.

Jimmy Cooks (00:06:20): The best song on the album, featuring 21 Savage. Drake actually had a better verse on this song than 21 Savage, which gives me hope that Drake isn't finished. He just wants to drop what he wants to drop.

Album Review (00:06:53): The album feels like background music, something you can play while walking or working. It's okay for that purpose, but if you're looking for substance, it's not there. Compared to "More Life," this album is just plain. It feels like a 52-minute "Passionfruit" album, minus the last track with 21 Savage, which was the standout.

Expectations (00:10:00): I hope Drake drops another album soon and takes the criticism seriously. Every artist wants people to like their work, and I'm sure Drake does too. If he doesn't change, he might end up like Chris Brown—still selling, but not taken seriously. Drake should either go back to his old style or try something new. Even a drill album would be better than what he's dropping now.

Rating (00:10:15): Over 10, I'd give it a 5. It's not garbage, but it doesn't feel like Drake put much effort into it. Compared to his previous works, this album feels low effort. Drake's recent albums don't have the same quality as before, and it shows.

Conclusion (00:12:18): That's the end of this episode. If you enjoyed it, please subscribe and leave a rating if you're on Apple Music or Spotify. I'll catch you in the next episode.

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