Views on Drake's 'Views' From the KiSS 92.5 Team

We caught up with the KiSS 92.5 team to ask their take on one of the most highly anticipated albums of 2016, Drake’s new project VIEWS, which is available on iTunes HERE.

 

 

***MOCHA***

If you like “R&B Drake”, this is for you. If you’re like me and like “Rapping Drake”, stick to “What A Time To Be Alive” and “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late”… but there ARE some tracks that we’ll LOVE on this one.  DRAKE! WHO HURT YOU???? There are waaaaay more songs this album than previous where he talks about people in his past. Relationships with women or friendships that have ended (or on the verge of ending) seem to be the ongoing theme of “Views”. As always there are NUFF references to Toronto, street names, TDot slang, local artists and hang out spots…I LOVE that! ZEEEEEEN!!!

 

Keep The Family Close

2nd longest song on the album, I thought he was gonna start with a BANG! We get soft spoken Drake, he doesn’t waste time airing out some business. “You’re so predictable I hate people like you. Kennedy Road told me not to trust people like you.

 

9

When he says “For the dawgs dem, y’know”, I knew I was gonna like this one. Production is slick, I totally vibe out to this one!:

 

U With Me?

Yooooo! the DMX sample and refrence off the top is sick!!! Drake’s wordplay is one of the best in Hip-Hop, “How’s that for real? You toying with it like Happy Meal”. Love that he used DMX’s “How It’s Goin’ Down” hook as the hook in this track. For real though, who’s he talking about???

 

Feel No Ways

The beat on this one is too good! Again, he’s singing to someone who seems to have hurt him or didn’t want to make the time for whatever they had between each other. I can picture this being an anthem for ladies and fellas who’ve had their hearts broken.

 

Hype

BOUNCE TO THIS ONE! Rapping Drake is back! Bigging up his status in the game, nothing wrong with that. “I don’t run out material. You shouldn’t speak on me period. You try to give them your side of the story, they wasn’t hearin’ it”. Is he talking about Meek Mill?”

 

Weston Road Flows

DOPE production on this!! One of my faves on the album. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Mary J. Blige sample through out the song. Opens the song by saying he did it for “Renny”. Sounds like they had a falling out or haven’t been as close as they use to. Drake seems to miss this friendship. He makes reference to quite a few Toronto artists including Glenn Lewis & Jelleestone and going to Fluid Nightclub (which no longer exists) with local Hip-Hop celeb ‘Big Apple’.

**Update May 10, 2016**

We received an email from Rene (who I thought had a falling out with Drake) and he had this to say:

“Weston Road Flows….Drake and I (Rene) did not have a fall out..he mentions me and writes my name on the back of every album as Rene or “Snaz” my producer name..I’ve known Drake from kindergarten when his mom was my teacher till this day and we always stay touch…this is before fame or anyone he worked with…he grew up with me on Weston Road..the first 8 bars are for me and my brother dedicating the Flow to us…Weston Road…there is definitely no fall out..after he speaks about me going out with my brother to stay out of trouble is when he starts exploiting rappers. Drake raps about me on “Going In for Life” “You and The 6” and “Weston Road Flows”…I’ve also was produced and written music for and with him. He gives me tixx every OVO fest…last one he shouted me out in front the crowd..I’m just a real and loyal friend to Drake from the beginning of time…I understand I’m a mystery man…… But please get the facts right and correct it..thank you!..

 

Redemption

“We’re back to slow jam Drake. Again, he’s spilling his emotions. “Why would I settle for women who force me to pick up the pieces?”. Man, this guy has been hurt by TOO many women”.

 

With You feat PARTYNEXTDOOR

This is a highlight song on the album for me! PLEASE, let’s get a PARTYNEXTDOOR full length album, NOT a mixtape! This dude makes Mississauga proud and deserves the Worldwide shine!

 

Faithful feat Pimp C & dvsn

Newly signed to the OVO family dvsn croons over this slicked out beat. The late Pimp C opens with a pretty sick verse. Not sure what year Pimp C’s verse was written, but he passed in 2007 and the lyrics sound like they were written yesterday, it goes so well with the song.

 

Still Here

Rapping Drake mixed with singing Drake on this one! Love the build up till the beat kicks in. Sounds like this one is dedicated to his enemies or those, especially the ones who aren’t from Toronto. Don’t come here with that slick attitude, Drake and his crew won’t have it!

 

Controlla

This song is a BEAST! BIG in the clubs, in the cars, and on the radio. BUT WHERE’S POPCAAN???? He was on the version released a while ago! Also, this is basically “Work” Pt.2! I’m not crazy right?

 

One Dance feat Whizkid & Kyla

What else can be said about this song that hasn’t been said before? It’s a hit and everyone loves it. Good beat, great lyrics, it’s perfect in every way!

 

Grammys feat Future

No wonder Drake and Future work so well and are touring together! They aren’t competing for best verse on the song, but it sounds like friendly competition brought out the best verse from each for this one. “OVO we a goldmine, but i’m goin’ gold in no time”. Love that line.

 

Childs Play

Definitely a song dedicated to someone from Drake’s past who did him wrong. “Why you gotta fight with me at Cheesecake? You know I love to go there, say i’m actin’ ‘light skin’, I can’t take you no where”. Stand out line for sure! Moral of the story? Don’t do wrong to Drake at his fave spot, it’s just not nice

 

Pop Style feat Kanye West

One of my fave on the songs. BUT WHERE’S JAY Z???? Even though he only has one line that was used, “They still out to get me they don’t get it. I can not be gotten that’s a given”, he’s gone from the album version of the album. Kanye still slays it. I wish the three of them would make more music together, they sound good as a unit. Drake wins this round though by having the BEST line in the entire song (and maybe album) “Got so many chains they call me Channing Tatum”.  DEAD. 

 

Too Good feat Rihanna

Ok, Drake and Rihanna make good music TOGETHER! Seriously, they bring the best out of each other on tracks. They have too many songs together, how have they not made a joint album yet? Hopefully that’s next! This song is prob my fave on the entire album! Wait, have I said that already about other songs? Maybe?

 

Summers Over Interlude

Time to smooth it out for a sec, catch your breath, grab some water, take a breather…

 

Fire & Desire

Drake spills his insides out once again trying to convince a woman to get with him instead of the guy she’s currently with. He even ups the ante by asking “Tell me should I cut these other girls right out my life?”. I wonder if the girl he’s talking to ever took him up on the offer?

 

Views

This song should’ve been first on the album. The beat goes in HARD and Drake’s verse gives you another glimpse into his past growing up in Toronto. He gets emotional talking about dropping out of school with only 6 credits left to go and telling his disappointed mother that “it’s only up from here, I promise”, and man did he ever deliver on that promise! He also goes in on past friendships that have gone south. Bottom line, people change.

 

Hotline Bling

You already know this song is a BEAST.

 

Drake for the win…of EVERYTHING! Nuff said.

 

 

***DAMNIT MAURIE***

Drake said that he likes all his songs to tell a true story…nothing made up, and you can really tell on his latest album Views that he has many messages and feelings he wants to get out off his mind and into ours.

 

I really had no idea what to expect with this, and like movies, when there is too much hype surrounding a project, the outcome isn’t normally what you hoped for. However, the two-years of hype was totally worth it on Views. Each track has its own special feel and experience.

 

I totally get it now…when asked which song was his favorite, Drake said he loved them all.  And just like art, how can an artist pick a favorite? Drake “painted” 20 audio mind paintings that each stand alone. It’s also worth pointing out that several tracks on Views are perfect songs to get your freak on to – especially “Summers Over Interlude”.. Damn!! Dim those lights.. Just sayin!! Overall, “To Good”, “Pop Style” and “One Dance” are my favourites so far on the album.

 

Those are my views, so get some booze, it won’t make you snooze, but take off your shoes before we schmooze.. gunna stop before these rhymes of views gets overused!!! I can drop them words too Drizzy!!” (mic drop)

 

 

***BLAKE CARTER***

I feel like a lot of babies are going to be born 9 months from now because of this album. Or however long it takes for babies to be ready.

 

 

 

***DEVO BROWN***

The production on this album definitely stands out as the difference maker for the album. The confidence leans towards arrogance on this album more than ever before. There are enough Toronto references to make those of us from the 6ix excited but not too many that it alienates the international audience.

 

Still Here

One of my fave tracks on the album. Back to his sing rapping style – this will be big in the club!

 

Too Good feat Rihanna

In the realm of Take Care, What’s My Name & Work…this single is catchy and is a smash!

 

Views

Produced by Toronto DJ/Producer Maneesh (DJ M-Rock) has a very throwback Jay Z/Kanye story telling flow, and it’s a pretty good story haha.

 

Weston Road Flows

This is by far the most lyrically scathing track on the album. He calls out many people without saying names. He may as well have though – it seems pretty obvious to me who all he’s talking to.

 

 

***SHEM***

Firstly, I’ve heard a lot of people criticize this album for “not being Hip-hop”. I’m not saying that is an unfair criticism but WHAT DID YOU EXPECT FROM ‘VIEWS’? Both, ‘If You’re Reading This Too Late’ and his project with Future, ‘What A Time To Be Alive’ were both hip-hop projects, so Drake changed things up for this one. That’s called VERSATILITY. Whether you like the singing stuff or not is a different story but I don’t quite understand the criticism of this album as “not Hip-hop” because I don’t think that was the intention.

Here are my track by track thoughts on VIEWS.

 

KEEP THE FAMILY CLOSE‘

If you hate “Singing Drake”, then this isn’t the track for you. I think the vocals are good, he isn’t threatening Usher, or Sam Smith in the vocal department, but just like in ‘Hold On, We’re Going Home’ and ‘Hotline Bling’, the singing works. The song continues the ‘No New Friends’ theme that is in a lot of Drake songs. He sings throughout the song that someone “went and chose a sign that wasn’t mine….when I needed you, you couldn’t give me any advice. Very typical Drake-ballad. He also says, “All of my ‘Lets Just Be Friends’ aren’t friends I don’t have anymore’, If you’re going through some heartbreak this song is perfect for you. He says, “Kennedy Road taught me not to trust people like you”. One of many Toronto references in the song. 

 

RATING: 3.5/5

 

‘9′

So whereas Drake seemed really sad and depressed in ‘Keep The Family Close’, in ‘9’ he seems defiant and angry. Rapping throughout the song ‘I made a decision last night that I’d die for it’. He also references people taking advantage of him and definitely seems fed up.The only real explanation we get for the title ‘9’ is that it’s an upside down ‘6’, of course his famous reference for Toronto. I like the beat, song doesn’t have a TON of substance in it for me though. 

 

RATING: 3/5

 

‘U WITH ME?’

First thing that struck me with the song is the beat. Very easy to get into the song. The song also follows a similar pattern with Drake where he seems to find out ‘who is real? and who is standing with him as he puts his city on his back’. Definitely feels very similar to ‘9’ for me. That’s not really a criticism, more so just an observation.

 

RATING: 3.5/5

 

‘FEEL NO WAYS’

“Song started out having a very 80s vibe to it withe keyboard/synthesizer and the drums in the background. I like that. Has a very similar feel to ‘Hold On, We’re Going Home’ for me. I was waiting for him to spit a verse and was a little disappointed that we didn’t get that but to be honest, it was the was instruments (the aforementioned keyboard/synthesizer and drums) as well as violins toward the end. Probably my favourite record so far, but I’m only 4 songs in. 

 

RATING: 4/5

 

‘HYPE’

I like this change of pace in the album. I’m a big fan of that trap song and this song delivers for me in a big way. I like the Rihanna shoutout in the song. Definitely a song and a message to his haters. He sort of flexes his successes in this song, (as he should). Five songs in he calls ‘VIEWS’ a “classic”, which may be premature, but we shall see. Says he’s ‘done in the hype’ which to me is his way of saying, all of that noise that’s around doesn’t bother him because he’s out here W-I-N-N-I-N-G. Very dope record, I like it a lot.

 

RATING: 4/5

 

‘WESTON ROAD FLOWS’

“I’ve got a price on my head but there’s a price for collecting”.

“Used to have secret handshakes to confirm my friendships. Nowadays they just shakin’ my hand to hide the tension”

 

Those two lines right there may encapsulate this entire album, Drake is VERY aware of his haters and his message to them is simple: “I’m winning, you aren’t so therefore you don’t matter”. Love the Toronto references: Vince Carter, Glenn Lewis, TTC, and of course Weston Road, although I will say, I expected more Toronto-centric references in this song, mainly because of the title. 

 

RATING: 3.5/5

 

‘REDEMPTION’

To be blunt, I could have done without this track. I’m cool with the love ballads but I think 7 songs in, I’m a little tired of “Singing Drake”.  To me this record is forgettable, but it’s early and still my first listen.

 

RATING: 2/5

 

‘WITH YOU’ feat. PartyNextDoor

I LOVE this song. Everything about it, the beat is different from all the other records, and Party absolutely kills it (probably better than Drake). These two guys are singing about a girl, yet it doesn’t feel like a sappy love ballad from them, and I think a lot of that has to do with the beat behind their verses. Would have loved to have more from PartyNextDoor because added something really dope to this record.

 

RATING: 4/5

 

‘FAITHFUL feat. Pimp C & DVSN’

Firstly, I think it was HUGE for Drake to get an old school legend in the rap game like Pimp C on Views. With a lot of so called, ‘real hip hop’ heads accusing Drake of being ‘soft’, ‘fake’ ‘not a real rapper’, I think having Pimp C gives him some credibility, so props to him for that. Definitely one of the more sexually explicit tracks off Views, but it’s done in a filthy way, Drake makes it work here. The REAL star off this track to me though is DVSN. His verse channels some classic R&B vibes for me and he absolutely outshines Drake and Pimp C on this record. The layering of his vocals gave it a sort of Jodeci vibe for me and whenever you can do that, it’s a win for me. At first, I was like “ugh, yet another sad Drake ballad, but DVSN’s verse kills it for me’

 

RATING: 4/5

 

‘STILL HERE’

The song started out a little slow but once that beat dropped and the “How did I finesse all of this shit from Jane & Weston” line was said, it got my attention. One thing I’m finding a little strange about some of these songs so far is their lack of substance to it. Take this song for example, I feel like it needed another verse or two, maybe throw in some more Toronto references, a shot at Meek or something, just SOMETHING else. I think the first half of the song was dope, but it just sort of fizzled the rest of the way for me.

 

RATING: 3/5

 

‘CONTROLLA’

When this song first dropped, I was sort of lukewarm on it. Having heard it again as part of VIEWS, I’m definitely sold. I think the Caribbean influence really works here. Gives the song a little something. Otherwise I think it would have been another boring ballad (like ‘Redemption’). As a big REGGAE fan, this song works for me. Love the Beenie Man breakdown, but I’m disappointed he wasn’t on it more; more Beenie on ‘Controlla’ would have pushed it over the edge, but still, one of my favourites from the album for sure.

CAN’T BELIEVE POPCAAN IS NOT ON THIS SONG THOUGH????

 

RATING: 4/5

 

‘ONE DANCE feat Wizkid & Kyla’

I can totally see how this song gave Drake his first #1 in the UK. This song was the PERFECT song for him to release after Rihanna’s ‘Work’. Considering that song spent 9 straight weeks at #1 in North America, I think Drake releasing ‘One Dance’ when he did, was the right business move and from a momentum standpoint. This song is ‘Hotline Bling’ with a dancehall twist. Considering how big ‘Hotline Bling’ was and ‘Hold On, We’re Going Home’ before that for Drake, this song ranks up there as one of his better ‘Singing Drake songs’. Might even be my favourite of his. HUGE fan of this record.

 

RATING: 5/5

 

‘GRAMMYS feat Future’

This song goes hard. It will be a huge in the club, especially since anytime these two get together, they put out nothing but fire (see ‘Jumpman’ and ‘Big Rings’), but much like many of the songs off their collaborative project ‘What A Time To Be Alive’, Future just ruins this song for me. Drake starts it off and kills it (his flow is very similar to ‘Big Rings’), but Future makes even LESS sense than normal, so I was not a fan to say the least.

 

RATING: 2/5.

 

‘CHILD’S PLAY’

Pace is everything on this song for me. Like ‘Faithful’, another sexually explicit record from Drake, but to me not as good as Faithful. But for the beat in this song that gives it a quicker pace, I would have likened it to ‘Redemption’ and would have said this song is on the wrong album, it should have been on ‘Take Care’. Not a bad record, just somewhat forgettable for me.

 

RATING: 2.5/5

 

‘POP STYLE’

Absolutely love this song. As you can probably tell, I’m a bigger fan of ‘Rapper Drake’ than I am ‘Singer Drake’. When I first heard this song earlier this month, I thought it was sick then, and it sounds even better now, however I’m surprised that Jay Z and Kanye aren’t on this version, but I’m guessing it has something to do with the ongoing beef between Apple and TIDAL. My ONLY gripe about this song is this line: “got so many chains they call me Chaining Tatum”. Really? Come on Drake, I’ve heard you do better, that line was corny. Outside of that, love this song.

 

RATING: 4/5

 

‘TOO GOOD feat. Rihanna

Great feel good record. These two in my opinion, haven’t put out a bad song together, whether it’s ‘Take Care’, ‘What’s My Name’ or ‘Work’, I’m a big fan of it. I like that they stuck with the Caribbean influence, (shout out to Drake for the little patois he dropped in this song). This song should get dropped as a single in the summer time (I can see Rihanna joining Drake on stage during OVO at the end of July, which also happens to be Caribana in Toronto) and performing this song, leading right into a performance of ‘Work’. Pardon the pun, but that would just ‘work’. Easy record to listen to. I’m a fan.

 

RATING: 4.5/5

 

‘SUMMERS OVER INTERLUDE’

Difficult to give a rating for an interlude.

 

RATING: N/A

 

‘FIRE & DESIRE’

For people who love Singing Drake, they will love it and of all those types of songs of Views, this was my favourite. Had an early 90s R&B feel to me which I like (once again, very Jodeci/Boyz II Men, at least when it came to the backing vocals). Yes, it was another “Drake Singing About A Girl Who Hurt Him” ballad, but this one worked in a way that ‘Redemption’ didn’t (as you can tell, I’m just not a big fan of that record).

 

RATING: 3/5

 

‘VIEWS’

The song where Drake appears to be the most introspective. Talks about how he had to convince his mom that it was okay for him to drop out of school (6 credits short), but that everything would be okay, ( I think he was right about that one). Talked about avoiding getting shot at Kiddies Carnival when he was younger (the kid version of the Caribana parade here in Toronto). Has a very ‘Started From The Bottom’ feel, in that he references places he used to work, visit, shop. hang out, and now he’s ‘made it’ and is doing better for himself. I think he also used this song to send his strongest message to his haters, saying ‘F**k being all buddy buddy with the opposition, it’s like the front of a plane, it’s all business,”. Drake definitely wants people to know in this album that he has NO time for people who throw shots at him and that he’s too busy being successful to worry about them because they aren’t on his level. I sort of like the arrogance from Drake on this record.

 

RATING: 3.5/5

 

‘HOTLINE BLING’

What can I say about this song that hasn’t already been said? The song would have been Drake’s first ever #1 single (if not for Adele’s monster ‘Hello’) and would have likely won him a Grammy award if not for a rumoured clerical error on the part of someone at his label. Massive hit, with an even bigger video.

 

RATING: 5/5

 

FINAL THOUGHTS: 

This wasn’t my favourite Drake album, but I do think it has some of the strongest songs that he’s ever put out. I don’t care that much for ‘Singing Drake’, I think when Drake spits, he’s one of the best. It’s why tracks like ‘HYPE’ and ‘POP STYLE’ are my favourites, but I also LOVE some of the reggae infused vibes Drake tries out with this album. Records like ‘CONTROLLA’, ‘ONE DANCE’ and ‘TOO GOOD’ offer this album balance.

But I think anyone that was looking for a “true Hip-Hop” album from Drake on VIEWS will be disappointed because it’s not that at all. It’s a slower paced, very personal album for Drake. Not likely to hear a ton of these records in the club (and maybe not even radio to be honest), but it’s one of those albums that depending on your mood, it will be perfect for you. 

 

FINAL RATING: 3.5/5

 

 

***JAX***

Days.. Weeks… Months.. Years. That’s the amount of time fans have been waiting for a full blown album from Drake.  Now that the anticipation is over, the questioning begins.. Was the wait worth it?

Here are a few thoughts track by track on Views. View these views how you wanna view em’.

 

Keep The Family Close

Well, well, well, hello again Drake.. We’ve been waiting for you. As for over all sound, I can perfectly picture this song live with a full band. Is that a normal reaction to a Drake track? Not really. Is it expansion and a new approach? Absolutely. Drake’s notorious for keeping his city close and his crew even closer, so this continuation of that mentality isn’t surprising. Strong track, and hooks me in to continue my Views journey.

 

9

We’re only less than 24 hours since the album dropped, but I have to say this track is one of my top 5. He’s a man of many talents and witty lyricist is one of them. (Insert Chaining Tatum line here) …“And I turn the 6 upside down it’s a 9 now”. It’s a proper follow up to a more down tempo first track, which I think picks the vibe up a bit. Over all, 8 thumbs up… (If I had 8 thumbs)

Also side note.. Am I going crazy or does a tiny bit of the intro to ‘9’ sound like a tiny bit of the ‘Portlandia’ series intro?

 

 

U With Me

Well it’s certainly isn’t a Drake album without some sort of phone call and/or voicemail. This track is strong, and for fans that were getting nervous that this was a mostly ballad record it could be comforting. Is it a windows-down-summer track? Not so much… but it’s a late-night-bass-high-driving-slow track and that can be just as sweet.

 

Feel No Ways

Alright. Does the first 20 seconds make you feel like you’re in a mixture of a 70’s porn and a mission in GTA Vice City? Yes? Me too, but in the best way possible. With past records Drake & 40 haven’t hesitated to mix in different sounds and vibes, and though it’s a small switch in approach from past tracks it’s a noticeable one. The sound is light and airy, which makes sense with the album having what Drake himself described as varying season sound during his Zane Lowe interview. So I guess we must have made it to spring/summer? The upbeat feel is a contrast to the actual lyrics in the song “I tried with you/There is more to life than sleeping in and getting high with you”, which is tough because while I want to feel bad for ol’ Aubrey’s heart I’m too focused on nodding my head to the catchy beat.

 

Hype

This track off the bat has a full ‘No Tellin’ style, which I’m feelin’. If you were left with any sappy or soft Drake feelings from previous tracks on the album they will be quickly diminished. His steady and confident lyrics are nice to hear again with lines like “I don’t play with my money this summer I’m serious”. If you’re looking to walk down the street with headphones on and your chin up, this could very well be the jam you’re looking for.

 

Weston Road Flows

First off, this song sounds like it pairs best with red wine. As everyone knows, Drake is making sure the world is aware that Toronto is his focus with this album, and proper 6ix landmark references are all over the place including in the title. As per usual, Mr. Graham blends a great mix of nostalgia and story-telling into his words, and this song is a great example of it. He makes it no secret that fame has changed things in this song with nods to past friendships and betrayals, but in pure Drizzy fashion he makes sure the “I’ll come out on top” message is clear.

 

Redemption

Shem said it best:

“If you expected a rap album from Drake then you’ll think Views is dull, but if you went in with an open mind, you’d see he did well with this”

 

Fans of Drake’s more raw rap verses may not be as fond of this slower tempo track, but if you listen past the laid back beat and into the lyrics, it’s a strong and thoughtful track. It’s not the club banger or the song to throw on mid-party, but it’s transparency and vulnerability certainly redeem the song. Like a good ol’ fashioned onion, Drake continues to show us his layers.

 

With You

Party back on a track? Yes please. Hearing the news of this collab leads to immediate excitement, and while it’s no ‘Preach’, it doesn’t disappoint. No real crazy twists or turns during the song as it’s quite consistent throughout the entire track with beat and vibe, but over all pretty good little diddy. Probably would dance to this. Probably WILL dance to this.

 

Faithful

I could beat around the bush, but this is also in my Views top 5. Drake can be known as a romantic, but he certainly doesn’t bust out his finest gentlemanly language in this one for sure.

Drake’s a dude with a lot of different looks… Jimmy Brooks.. Intense Courtside Raptors King.. Beef With Meek Mill Tough Dude.. Sweet guy on The Ellen Show.. but the guy that’s on this song? That’s sexy 6 Drake.

Example? “That p***y knows me better than I know myself” “Let’s do the things that we say on text”.

I like this sexy bossy Drake. Stay for a while sexy bossy Drake, won’t you?

 

Still Here

Remember that self-assured and straight up Aubrey Graham I was mentioning in ‘Hype’? Well he’s back with ‘Still Here’. He makes it known what’s his, but also has that oh so familiar tone of bitterness resonates with this track. Did someone take advantage of him? Did someone let him down? With lyrics like : “I thought that we were family, you showed me that we can’t be”, that certainly is a safe guess. Simple track, nothing crazy.. but if you’re looking to go for a fast run while mad or take 4 shots of tequila at once, you may have your new anthem.

 

Controlla

The world asked two very important questions this week.

WHO IS BECKY WITH THE GOOD HAIR?

WHERE IS POPCAAN ON ‘CONTROLLA’? HE WAS ON THE LEAK!

 

Both very good questions. The second question however, is even more confusing as Drake put a photo of Popcaan on his Instagram RIGHT before he dropped the album! He shared photos of different Views collaborators like Rihanna, Future, and.. Popcaan. But when Views actually released, he was no where to be seen/heard on ‘Controlla’ like we originally anticipated. Does the Beenie Man audio at the end ease our hearts? Sorta.. But we still want answers. I do dig the song, but was expecting something a little different.

 

One Dance

I feel like I’m a bit biased towards this track because I’ve literally been walking up and down Yonge street with it in my ears for the past week, but… I LOVE IT. Drake released both ‘Pop Style’ and ‘One Dance’ together, and when OD was chosen as a single it made perfect sense. Melodic and sexy, this song gets album listeners in the mood for some summer tings. Even when hearing the original song the track samples, you get the same feeling in your hips (the dancing feeling).. I probably don’t have to add this, but yup, it’s in my Top 5.

 

Grammys

Upon reading this song title when he release the track list on Instagram earlier in the week, I wondered if it would be an entire song about him drinking alcohol out of his Grammy Award like he did a couple years ago on video. Not quite. It seems like a written word reminder of where he’s come from, and the contrast to where he is now. A very welcomed collaborator AKA Future hop in mid song, and the two flow as per usual. It has that same ‘What A Time To Be Alive’ feel, which I by no means object to. Clean and smooth, this one is a good-er.

 

Childs Play

While Views may be many things, I wouldn’t say it’s consistent in it’s pace. From slower tempo jams to more clean cut hits, Drake’s songs are back and forth on this album in order. Childs Play being sandwiched between Grammys and Pop Style is a good example of that. This track may be a grower for me, but I’m honestly neither here or there on it. I do like it’s simple and quicker beat, but it’s not a repeat song at this point for me. #ForgiveMeForMySinsDrizzy

 

Pop Style

Hello there Pop Style, we meet again. Just like ‘One Dance’, I’ve had this one in heavy rotation on my phone since it’s release. However if you’ve noticed, just like Controlla.. It’s missing an artist or two. While Jay Z and Kanye were featured on the original, neither are on the official Views version. Jay Z’s “part” in the first draft was pretty much a line so it’s absence in the new version isn’t extremely obvious, but I must say I do miss Kanye. Drake’s fill in for the lack of Jay and Ye was pretty good, but I do prefer the previous rendition.

 

Too Good

It’s the royal couple, without being a couple. Rihanna and Drake teaming up for ‘Too Good’ was a VERY welcomed surprise, and it did not disappoint. The two make pure magic when together, and this song is no different. This song gives me similar feelings to what ‘What’s My Name’ did when originally released, and it’s further proof that these two are a peachy pair. My only question is.. Can we just get a whole collab album together?

 

Summers Over Interlude

Back to the guitars and the same sort of vibe that the first track “Keep The Family Close” had, except this is a little more late 60’s love making-ish. This is nice padding after coming down from the Ri-Ri and Drake high to wondering what’s next. Short and sweet, I like it.

 

Fire & Desire

The start of Fire and Desire is an extremely clean transition from our late album break AKA ‘Summers Over Interlude’, and the whole song is a straight up slow jam. The momentum from songs preceding it makes this song a track a little sleepy and redundant, but if you need to just feel those emotions for a second, this is a classic. Enjoy. Relax. Meditate. Drake It Out.

 

Views

A song named after the album demands attention, so I was very excited to hear what was in store. After a short intro I’m immediately reminded of ‘Fancy’, and that’s a very good thing. His vocals stand out on this, and it’s clear he’s making a statement before he wraps up the record. Long pauses in between verses make you excited for him to come back with the next one, and he never lets you down. Lines like “You don’t worry about fitting in when you custom made” remind us that’s he has stuck to his own formula, and boy has it worked. With Toronto references sprinkled here and there once again, it makes you feel good to be in Toronto, and share a piece of that Canadian pie.

 

Hotline Bling

To be honest I wasn’t sure if this track would be included, as it’s been out & about for quite a while. If anything it was a catchy way to finish off the album, and is further proof that the gentleman is versatile whether you hate that Hotline Bling dance or not. Plus, how many good memes and parody videos have been spawned from that short and simple music video? So many.. and where would the Internet be without those?

 

In summary ( Woah that made me feel like I’m writing a grade 11 essay over here)
A lyric in ‘Hype’ states that Views is already a classic… So is it? Will this resonate with listeners? Will this album include fan’s favourite tracks? It’s early to tell, but I think it certainly has not only the momentum, but the potential.

 

Signed, a happy and fulfilled Drake fan.

Filed under: Drake, New Music, Views