With the recent success of Hotline Bling and the well received Rihanna collaboration Work, there has been a huge anticipation for this album to drop.
Drake has been closely affiliated with South London based Grime crew Boy Better Know (Skepta, Jme etc.) over the past few months. After a lot of social media support for the UK’s Grime scene and culture, he eventually appeared as a guest at one of Skepta‘s shows and unofficially signed to BBK (which would explain the tattoo). With that in mind, it will be interesting to see how the Canadian’s recent output will be affected by his new found love for British music. He has traditionally chosen laid back R&B productions in the past, however we have recently heard him sample a classic UK Funky track from Crazy Cousinz on One Dance.
Prior to its release, there have been a few leaked tracks scheduled to be part of the album. His collaboration with Jamaican Dancehall star Popcaan entitled Controlla was a promising start, and showed both artists on top form with their trademark catchy hooks and auto-tuned vocals complimenting each other brilliantly.
It’s difficult to ignore the online anticipation surrounding this release, from the Hotline Bling edited videos and the Views From The 6 artwork parodies. On the first listen Drake grabs your attention with an almost Disney-style introduction. The second and third tracks already sound familiar, but Prince-inspired track four ‘Feel No Ways’ switches things up well. With its retro drum kicks and synthesisers laying the foundation for one of the albums best vocal performances. It’s clear to see this will be an eclectic mix of styles, and as the album progresses we hear a rougher Trap-style beat on ‘Hype’. His lyrical ability has been questioned by critics recently, however sometimes the simplistic approach just works.
With some of his most popular tracks often being on the softer side, it is good to hear him channel some energy on ‘Grammys’ featuring Future. There are even 160bpm Dancehall tracks represented on this project, as well as Hip Hop and Trap-rap of course. Saving the best untill last: track twenty ‘Hotline Bling’ is arguably the album’s highlight, marrying summer sounds with rolling hi-hats and one of 2016’s biggest hooks. Other contenders are from the collaborations, of which this album has plenty to choose from. Wizkid, Future, Popcaan and of course Rihanna, all add something unique to Views. Their track ‘Too Good’ is another UK Funky influenced beat laced with a great vocal from both artists. On the other hand ‘Still Here’ isn’t his finest hour, but is executed with Drake’s usual charm that allows you to forgive some of the less lyrical tracks.
There will always be huge expectations considering Drake’s successful album history. On the second listen through there are pleasant surprises, but not all twenty tracks will be everyone’s cup of tea understandably. I expect many will grow on you and may easily hold their own as singles, even if others have missed the mark.
Pop into your local Richer Sounds to check it out on one of our hi-fi separate systems and hear Views for yourself.
