Take every preconceived thought you have about Drake and throw it away, because March 18 he released his new album “More Life,” and it changed my life.
Ok, maybe my life wasn’t changed, but every previous Drake album that made me want to watch the rain and think about my heartbreaks (ex. the album “Take Care”) has nothing on this album.
The album is unlike like any of Drake’s previous work. He features lesser-known artists like singer Jorja Smith and London-native rapper Giggs as well as more well-known rappers like Young Thug and 2 Chainz.
The album uses different rhythms and sounds that we don’t normally hear from someone with the “hip-hop” label attached to their name.
According to a spin.com music review, “More Life” exhibits “highly rewarding underground subgenre of British dance music called funky house, which blended traditional house with polyrhythms influenced by the percussion of Africa.”
Similar to his last hit “One Dance,” Drake samples various dancehall and tribal beats in a few of his songs on “More Life,” making them more taking-shots-with-friends” songs, rather than drinking-wine-alone songs.
This is an album that you’ll love or hate. Drake ran off to find a lot of new sounds this year, and you’ll either enjoy the material he’s brought back, or you’ll let him keep running because you are a firm believer the “Summer Sixteen, Thank Me Later” Drake reached his peak as an artist.
If you are someone who thinks the Canadian artist should stick to his roots, have no fear, this album still caters to you. Songs like “Free Smoke,” “Portland” and “Gyalchester” still give off the hip-hop vibe you’re looking for. The songs that stray away from his more conventional style are “Passionfruit,” “Get It Together” and “Madiba Riddim.”
Even if you’re a little skeptical, this whole album is worth listening to at least once because every now and then artists running with new ideas return with something worth while.
