With it being a few weeks after Drake released his latest album “Certified Lover Boy,” comparisons between both his and Kanye West’s newest album “Donda” have erupted. The main question is: which album is better?
Now, while the two are completely different, that does not stop the fact that Drake had a more replayable album. Looking at songs like “Way 2 Sexy,” featuring Future and Young Thug, or “Knife Talk,” featuring 21 Savage and Project Pat, the replayability of the two is apparent.
The album is not the strongest work from Drake, yet it is not a bad album at all. I find myself falling in love with more and more songs that come from this album the more I listen to it as well as adding onto my playlist as the days go by.
Songs like “Fountains,” “TSU,” “N 2 Deep” and “IMY2” come to mind as songs that first time plays do not pop out yet become classics after a few listens. Drake tends to have that strength of making his albums either come off as an immediate classic or grow into one. These songs are the perfect reason why.
“Fountains” has that classic summer energy to it that makes it feel like it’s August and you are staring off into the sunset. Meanwhile, “TSU” has Drake singing about a girl that he met at a strip club and is willing to support, maintaining an upbeat tempo even when the boom beat switches. The song makes you feel as if you are deep into some wavey 808-bass, feeling weightless while still getting an effortless Drake verse.
However, when you get to “N 2 Deep” right after “TSU,” you’re greeted with electrical guitars as the main beat while Drake effortlessly glides on the track. There is again another beat switch after a small interlude in the song, and this part feels best as it pulls the whole track together, potentially making “N 2 Deep” the best song on this album.
Then last, but not least, one of the hidden highlights on this album is “IMY2” with Kid Cudi completely adding to the song. Juice WRLD commences the track with a small quote, followed by a Kid Cudi verse that is honestly amazing. Then, after a few bars from Drake, Kid Cudi drops his chorus, providing a duo that some never thought was needed.
CLB is an album that does not have to portray a story to be good. The pros of this album are its catchiness and replayability while some bars like “say that you a lesbian, girl, me too” are bad enough to make you gag and want to stop listening. The album overall makes up for it in more songs that are good than bad.
This album is a solid 7/10 and may even win album of the year, unless Kendrick Lamar’s upcoming album drops before voting starts, for the pure fact it will make playlists more often than Kanye West’s “Donda.” Both albums are good, but honestly fall a little short of what man fans had expected.
Songs in order from best to worst:
- Knife Talk (Ft.21 Savage & Project Pat)
- No Friends In The Industry
- You Only Live Twice (Ft. Lil Wayne & Rick Ross)
- N 2 Deep (Ft. Future & Young Thug)
- IMY2 (Ft. Kid Cudi)
- TSU
- Way 2 Sexy (Ft. Future & Young Thug)
- Love All (Ft. JAY-Z)
- Fair Trade (Ft. Travis Scott)
- Champagne Poetry
- Fountains (Ft. Tems)
- 7 am on Bridle Path
- In The Bible (Ft. GIVĒON & Lil Durk)
- Get Along Better (Ft. Ty Dolla $ign)
- Yebba’s Heartbreak (Ft. Yebba)
- Pipe Down
- Race My Mind
- Papi’s Home
- Girls Want Girls (Ft. Lil Baby)
- Fucking Fans
- The Remorse
