New Music || Double Drake

A few days ago, a track from Drake's upcoming album Views From The 6 leaked and it is brilliant. The song, Can I, is minimalistic and features Beyonce and these two have already proved to be quite the duo with their previous track Mine. Although this on could do with more vocals from Bey and maybe a little beat change mid-way through, I do like the song.

But then, just to increase the hype a second track leaked which features new r'n'b vocalist Tinashe. On A Wave sounds a little unfinished with its abrupt ending but that may just be because it is a preview. Either way this is another track that has potential an sets a laid-back atmosphere for the album. 

Most Anticipated Albums of 2015

We are almost a quarter of the way through the year and have already been treated to three great albums (or two albums and a mixtape) thanks to Big Sean, Drake, Chris Brown and Tyga. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. This year is expected to be a major one for music fans with quite a few big name, popular artists promising to release impressive albums.

Kanye West

Kanye has already given us a tease of what to expect with this new album which he describes as 'cook-out music'. He premièred a new track, All Day, at the Brit Awards and it has me quite excited about the album which may see Kanye revert back to his pre-Kardashian sound.

Frank Ocean

I almost thought Frank had retired from the music industry or something since he has been practically silent for the past two years. After the success and critical acclaim of his debut album, Channel Orange, Frank would be a fool not to bring us some more. So he is.

Though there has been no teasers or release date, we can expect new music this year and I, for one, cannot wait.

Adele

I am not the biggest Adele fan and I haven't even really sat down and listened to a full Adele album but I can appreciate great music when I hear it. Adele is undoubtedly a superstar and her albums have broken multiple records so she has a lot to live up to.

I am interested to hear what route she takes now that she is in a happy relationship and she is a mum.

Drake

Aubrey has already given us a solid mixtape last month but it is he mammoth album that I am looking forward to. I doubt the mixtape is much of an indication as to what we will hear on the album but I have a feeling it will be just as surprising and successful.

Rihanna

Riri's eighth studio album has been anticipated by her fans and music lovers for about a year now seeing as this is the longest break between albums she has ever had. The album has already been fan-titled R8 and has the lead single FourFiveSeconds so we can get a feel of what this album may be. A slightly less club anthemy and commercial sound with more mature and vocal showcasing elements.

Either way, Rihanna always delivers stellar albums so I am waiting with bated breath.

Album Review || Drake 'If You're Reading This It's Too Late'

In a very Beyonce manner, last week Drake decided to drop a surprise album/mixtape on the world with zero promotion, zero release date and no warning of any kind. All he had to do was post the cover for If You're Reading This It's Too Late on his Instagram and wait for the world to catch on. This came completely out of nowhere because we weren't expecting any new music till later on in the year with his fourth album Views From The Six (this still might happen btw).

I love when artists take this kind of risk because it means I am going to listen to it with no expectations and I can allow the music to speak for itself so that it was I have done for the past few days.

If You're Reading This It's Too Late opens with a very bold statement which continues throughout the mixtape as an ongoing theme. Drake makes it clear that he knows he is one of the best rappers/artists of this generation and he has garnered so much success that he believes he has what it takes to be a legend.
The confidence, borderline cockiness, displayed in the opening track Legend is felt on the majority of the mixtape and can sometimes feel overplayed and irritating.
By the time I had reached track 6 I was beginning to ask myself 'where is the sensitive, humble rapper with his occasional singing', I missed him.
His success is built on the image of 'emotional rapper' and although he may find the meme's and comments tiring, he cannot deny that it has been much of the reason for his fame and fortune. It was original, exciting, refreshing and often relatable.
This mixtape only seems to suggest that Drake wants to try something new and it just doesn't always work for him.

The production on the album is sub-par with only Madonna and No Tellin' offering some originality and a familiar Drak-esque sound. The rest of the tracks feel lazy and the beats are all pretty much mid-tempo underground sounds with little instrumental value.
Unfortunately the features don't add anything to this mixtape either especially PARTYNEXTDOOR who's trying way too hard to jump on the autotune fad that only T-Pain can get away with.
Even Lil' Wayne's appearance on Used To is disappointing which is a first for the two who normally bounce off each other with ease.

Don't get me wrong, there are some welcoming moments of humour and vulnerability that we expect from Drake particularly on You & The 6 where he pays tribute to his city and his mother for making him the man he is today. However, these moments are few and far between and they are laced with so much boasting and lacklustre lyricism that they can sometimes get lost.
The stand-out track, in my opinion, is 10 Bands with its heavy bass, strong beat and catchy chorus that could surely be club worthy with a bit of a remix.
6 God, a track which leaked weeks ago, comes a close second for favourite on the mixtape because of the aggression in Drake's verses. It brings an energy that hasn't shown its face on the rest of the mixtape.

Aside from those two tracks, there is nothing on this able that excites me or gets me hyped for Drake's promised fourth album later this year. My fingers are crossed in the hopes that this mixtape was just an experimental means of creativity in order to bridge a gap in the long silence between the last Drake album the one yet to be released.
If that is the case then all hope is not lost, in fact, that may mean the album could be even better since he has released all of his aggression and smugness.
Even so, I am still and will forever be a massive fan of both Drake as an artist and a person - one mediocre mixtape is not enough to tarnish the long list of brilliant music he has created.

Rating : 2/5 (and only because he has some great lyrics and I am judging this on a mixtape standard)

New Video | Only by Nicki Minaj feat. Chris Brown, Drake and Lil Wayne

After a controversial lyric video, Nicki Minaj has released the official video for her new single Only and it is far from what I expected.
A typical Nicki video is quirky, fun and entertaining but this one takes a much darker turn from the outset with bloodied and beaten bodies and a dangerous setting. It has no connection with the actual lyrics of the song and has no plot or meaning that I can find.
The only positive is that Nicki looks amazing as usual. Fortunately, the disappointing video doesn't make the song any less great.

New Music : Lil' Wayne

More music from Lil' Wayne featuring Drake a.k.a. the dream team in current hip hop, with future single Grindin'. I must admit the hook is really disappointing and the beat is lacking something BUT Lil' Wayne and Drake can do no wrong as lyricists and rappers. The flow is great, as always, and the latter half of the song (when Drake comes in) is strong in terms of bass and production. The piano is actually a nice touch as well.

New Music : PartyNextDoor

Twitter: @PaigeLouiseP

New Music : Drake

Drake seems to be trying a new sound more along the lines of Worst Behaviour over the past few months and though it works, it is starting to get a little tired.
Although Drake can do almost no wrong this latest song 0 to 100 / The Catch Up, which starts as a hype club track then three minutes in does a classic Drake move and switches to a mid-tempo beat, sounds so much like a lot of Drake's other music. I like the song but it's missing something and I can't quite put my finger on what it is...

New Music : Young Money Drop Double

Yesterday, three Young Money members dropped two new songs and they are pretty amazing. Lil Wayne and Drake joined forces for Believe Me and although it is catchy, the beat is a bit dry and dull - hopefully it is just a taste of things to come from Lil Wayne.

Then Nicki dropped another new song in preparation for her forthcoming album The Pinkprint due for a May release. Continuing with her intense hip-hop sound Nicki teamed up with Soulja Boy (not a choice I agree with but luckily he just shouts the same two words and has no solo verse) for Yassss Bish. Not a huge fan of Soulja Boy annoying drone of a hook but Nicki slays in the verses.

#MCM: Drake

Let's just have some Drake moments this bank holiday Monday...

Drake Is On His Worst Behaviour

Drake really doesn't get enough credit for his music videos which have always been well directed and entertaining. So it is no surprise that his latest video for Worst Behaviour is another long and story filled visual.
The song itself has really grown on me since I first heard it on the album and I am quite happy that it is his new single because it shows a different side to the emotional and vulnerable Drake we often see.
Although, in my mind the video would have been a little more extravagant and the three minute segment in the middle featuring Juicy J seemed irrelevant and felt slightly awkward, it is a pleasant video with a dash of humour at the start.
The video posted below is the shorter version because that is all I can find but trust me these are the only bits you really need to see.
And, is it just me or does Drake look really hot these days ?

Drake Brings The Drama In New Video

My favourite song of the year finally has a video to go with it and it doesn't disappoint.
Drake has graced us with a very theatrical, seven minute long music video for Hold On, We're Going Home with a guest appearance from ASAP Rocky.
The video is set in 1985 and in the first two minutes Drake's beautiful girlfriend is kidnapped whilst he is having a celebratory gathering with friends and business partners. Drake and his associates then proceed to rescue the damsel in distress in a dramatic climax.
I love when videos are creative and well-executed like this, even if it doesn't necessarily fit well with the song itself; visuals, in my opinion, are more about elevating the song by being entertaining and of high quality.
A brilliant video from Drake!

Album Review: Nothing Was The Same - Drake

Having listened to Nothing Was The Same almost six times over now, I can gladly declare that it is definitely one of the top three hip-hop albums of the year.
Drake remains honest, sentimental and sensitive which is what people love, and often mock, about him but there is a new found confidence and boastfulness that underlies many of the lyrics. He can go from sadly reminiscing about the girls he has loved and the relationships that didn't work out to boldly listing off his achievements and acknowledging his rise to the top without sounding arrogant.
Nothing Was The Same may only be his third studio album, but Drake can already compete with the likes of Kanye West, Jay-Z and all the other great lyricists who have been in the industry long before he was even gracing the TV screens on Degrassi.

Here is a track by track review of the deluxe addition :

Tuscan Leather
The perfect way to open the album. It's an aggressive yet refreshingly - from other hip hop albums - honest track that discusses not only his success and makes references to his hits No Lie and Started From The Bottom but also his shaky relationship with Nicki Minaj and friendship with Tatyana Ali. It's obvious that there will be no holding back on this album and I am definitely looking forward to what is to come.
The production is an added bonus, with multiple changes in tempo and flow that keep the song running strong for over six minutes.

Furthest Thing
"Furthest thing from perfect, like everyone I know", once again, Drake is unafraid of being vulnerable and exposing his flaws to the world which is what has set him apart from other rappers who often hide their insecurities behind a façade of cars, clothes and chains.
This is one of few moments where I am reminded of his previous album Take Care but with an obvious new found maturity; embracing his flaws and admitting his past mistakes.
Listen out for the brilliant change in beat during the last minute - it shows the growth in Drake as he switches from a sentimental and thoughtful young man to the powerful and successful rapper he is.

Started From The Bottom
We may have heard it a hundred plus times by now but it never gets old. Although it is Drake's weakest song lyrically, it has slowly become one of my top 5 Drake songs for it's annoyingly catchy hook and club heavy beat. It adds a different dimension to this somewhat reserved album.

Wu-Tang Forever
The first time on the album where we get a bit of singing from Drake, another thing that separates him from the likes of Kanye and Eminem, he doesn't need a bucket load of auto-tune to sound good holding a note. Although some of the lyrics could be seen as a dig at Chris Brown, I found Wu-Tang Forever to be a really pretty and lyrically beautiful 'love song' which is why it's one of my favourites on the album.

Own It
Own It continues on perfectly from Wu-Tang Forever and reminds me a lot of other slow jams from Drake like Practice and Shot For Me. It has the typical sweet-boy Drake lines like "next time we talk I don't want to just talk, I want to trust" which, after a couple of shots, will have you calling someone special in a heartbeat. But that's what is expected and wanted in a Drake album; lyrics that bring about actions which would otherwise been seen as pathetic but when Drake writes about it, it's cool.

Worst Behaviour
This track stands out from the rest but for all the wrong reasons. The first half of the song lacks in lyrical content, with too much "turn up" and "mother fuckers never loved us", but redeems itself slightly when Drake pays homage to Mase's verse in Mo Money Mo Problems. However, it still felt misplaced on the album and should have probably been discarded or released as promo like 5am in Toronto rather than lodged between two stunning songs in a well executed album.
Maybe it will grow on me after a few more listens but I have a feeling it will remain my least favourite Drake song.

From Time
After the chaos of Worst Behaviour, Drake returns to his reflective self and runs through the many girls who got away on this stand out song. Accompanied by the beautiful vocals of Jhene Aiko - a singer/songwriter who worked with Drake on July - every minute of this song is perfection, from the lyrics to the production to Drake's flow.

Hold On, We're Going Home
This is by far my favourite song on the album, and quite possibly my favourite song of 2013, as this is unlike anything we have ever heard from Drake or any other artist in the charts right now. Hold On, We're Going Home has an 80-esque vibe without sounding dated or cheesy, a feat which is hard to achieve in hip-hop. I'm hoping this is released as a single and gets a video a.s.a.p because everyone needs to be singing along to this by the end of the year.

Connect
It's not quite on par with the rest of the album but it has grown on me immensely since my first listen so I might just need to hear it a few more times before I love it. It just feels as though something is missing and I can't quite figure out what - a catchy hook? more aggression on the verses? a feature? - I'm not sure but it left me unsatisfied by the end.

The Language
The Language is Drake at his best. When his flow is strong and rhythmic and you can hear the passion in his voice. It helps that the beat is understated and quiet so you are really drawn to the lyrics which have been highlighted as possible digs at Kendrick Lamar after his controversial Control verse.
It's slightly more up-tempo and I can definitely hear this being remixed in clubs over the next couple of months, which is a welcome change in tone on the album after a succession of slower and more romantic songs.

305 To My City
Another example of a well structured and fluid album, as this follows on nicely from The Language. The production on this track is one of my favourites because it creates a mellow atmosphere that almost juxtaposes the lyrics without sounding chaotic or confusing. It's cleverly executed in a way that only Drake can get away with.

Too Much
Love, love, love this song. The unapologetic honesty in Drake's words, the musical elements in the background and Sampha's soothing vocals are all perfection and elevate this album onto a whole other level of greatness.

Pound Cake
Pound Cake has had a lot of buzz surrounding it because of the Jay-Z feature but there are so many other great tracks on the album it didn't really stand out as a particularly special moment to me. I enjoyed the production, which sounds a lot like something The Weeknd would release, and the unexpected change in tone towards the latter half of the song. But Jay's verse wasn't ground-breaking and didn't live up to the hype in my opinion.

Come Thru
I can understand why this track is only available on the deluxe addition because it doesn't quite feel like a finished track compared to the high quality of the rest of the album. I appreciate the attempt to add an electronic sound 2 minutes and 20 seconds in but it touches on all the subjects that Drake has already explored so really doesn't add anything new or exciting.

All Me
Another track that was released a while ago, therefore many are already familiar with it. But when you listen to it in the context of the album it sounds a lot better because I wasn't a massive fan of it at first.
It's fun - an aspect that is neglected largely by Drake on this album in his attempt to be serious and sensitive and reflective (as illustrated by the two album covers available). It's a moment where he lets loose alongside 2Chainz and Big Sean without sounding unrecognisable like he does in Worst Behaviour. It could be seen as a Started From The Bottom part 2 but more authentic and with better lyrics.

All in all, there are no huge surprises or risks on the album - maybe with the exception of Hold On, We're Going Home - but Drake delivers an honest, emotional and truly original body of work which he should be proud of.
Although it has leaked a week early and there is no controversy surrounding the album and hardly any features on it, I am certain that Drake will go straight to number one and this album will get all the success it deserves. It has already received rave reviews from critics and fans alike and I will add to that by giving it five stars and another listen!