$OME $EXY $ONGS MADE FROM DRAKE AND PARTYNEXTDOOR

CD graphic (Francisco Linares/ The Puma prensa)

Francisco Linares, Staff Writer

Almost a year after Kendrick Lamar went toe-to-toe against Drake, Drake has finally dropped a collab album with PARTYNEXTDOOR. Since the song “Not Like Us” was published, Lamar has been on a streak in the music industry, winning four Grammys and releasing his album GNX in November. 

Setting aside any drama, when it comes to Drake’s latest album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U,  it evoked a melancholy feeling of being alone at the club because of its heavy R&B influence, and it’s not the typical party music Drake tends to make. But after an entire weekend to digest it, I’ve got to say this album is a nice compilation of music to listen to when on a chilly late-night drive. The album grew on me after sitting down and doing some work while listening because Drake and the late-night type of songs he tends to make are very much hit after hit.

Some notable tracks on this album for me are “GIMME A HUG,” “DEEPER,” “SMALL TOWN FAME,” and “NOKIA.” “NOKIA” was a song that I thought sounded awkward. It seemed to be a song Drake wasn't trying on, but it is incredibly catchy and fun; it is something one can dance to, and it has the potential to be the song of the summer. It grows on someone rather quickly. I enjoyed the techno aspect of the song, it’s a nice breath of fresh air from the album's frequent R&B rhythm. It’s a lovely pop song that is bound to be played a lot. “GIMME A HUG” is another crazed song on this album, mainly because he addresses his beef with the music industry that turned its back on him. Drake opens this song with the line, “Drake elimination, fake intimidation,” which is a nod to Kanye West, who said he wanted to see Drake “eliminated” from the top of the music industry. Seeming not to care about the beef, Drake also said in the song that he is “trying to get the party lit.” Drake isn't usually the one to let things go, but it seems like he’s over the drama and trying to better his craft. Another notable track was “SMALL TOWN FAME,” a breakup song that takes the perspective of a hating ex-boyfriend who wonders what went wrong in the relationship. This song gives me the vibe of a more aggressive “Marvin's Room,” another song by Drake, about a breakup. My favorite song off this album is the only solo song by PARTYNEXTDOOR, “DEEPER.” It is the perfect kick-back and relax type of song. The sensual song is a relaxing slow jam with a smooth, calming beat that complements PARTYNEXTDOOR’s calming vocals.

$OME $EXY $ONGS 4 U is a collab album, but it doesn't feel that way. It feels like a Drake album with PARTYNEXTDOOR ad-libs. I would've appreciated more of a balance because “DEEPER” was so great, but $$$4U was a letdown if you are a big PARTYNEXTDOOR fan. I would've liked to see more than one solo song from PND—a rather long album with 21 songs. I understand why it couldn't have more because of its longevity, but it would've been nice to throw away “MEET YOUR PADRE,” a joke of a song with more PND. 

With all this in mind, I rate $OME $EXY $ONGS 4 U a 6.7 out of 10. Drake may never recover from his past drama with other rappers. It's not some of Drake's best work, but if you compare it to Kendrick’s album released earlier this year, I would say it’s a little bit better.