Take care is the album of the year. There's no doubt about that. Although I love and appreciate all genres I tend to gravitate towards R&B enthused tracks a little more and Take Care is exactly that. Drake's best asset is his ability to utilize his emotions in the form of tools. His lyrics are 100% authentic and straight from the heart which is why he has so many loyal fans. The album leaked almost two weeks in advance and regardless of that I'm sure he'll still sell.
Over My Dead Body makes for the perfect intro. It takes me on an emotional trip that I can't come down from. I love the fact that it features Chantal Kreviazuk. Her harmonious tone mellows the track out and the slight pool drowning echo gives it a somewhat hypnotizing feel. Drake always makes sure to represent for his hometown so what better way to do that than by featuring one of Canada's finest gems.
Shot For Me proves that Drake has been working on his vocals. It's refreshing and smooth like a cup of hot chocolate. He gets extra brownie points for sampling SWV's 'Anything' which is one of my favorite old school joints. "May your neighbors respect you, trouble neglect you, angels protect you, and heaven accept you" closes out the track. I'm curious to see how many times that gets retweeted or put as a Facebook status without realizing it's an Irish blessing and not an official quote by Drake himself lol.
Usually I skip the singles on albums due to excessive radio play but I can actually tolerate Headlines. It gets me all hyped up and its like the perfect 'big ups' anthem. Respect the game, respect the player, respect the team!
Crew Love is one of those mellow bangers. After Drake posted about The Weeknd on his blog October's Very Own Abel Tesfaye shot to stardom in the matter of seconds. Granted he was well on his way anyway, I'm sure the nod of approval gave him a boost. This track is undeniably flawless. Tesfaye delivers so well that I have to remind myself that this isn't a leftover track from House of Balloons or Thursday.
I've been going back and forth with my thoughts on the title track Take Care but I think I've come to a final verdict. It's okay. I guess I just expected more since its the title track. It's catchy though and more pop`esque than R&B/Hip-Hop which I can understand due to the production assistance of Jamie XX but it kind of messes with the solid consistency of the rest of the album. I applaud him for paying homage to one of the greatest Gil Scott-Heron (R.I.P).
On Marvin's Room Drake drunkenly confesses his love for an ex pouring his heart out and regretting the fact that the relationship went sour. Upon it's release it got a lot of people buzzing, especially the ladies. This resulted in numerous remixes taken from the female perspective. I did a post a while back about my favorite renditions so feel free to check that out. (JoJo slays btw, garnering nearly 17 million views on Youtube).
Buried Alive Interlude is phenomenal. At first I was like WTF is this but then the beat dropped and the lyrics spoke for themselves. Kendrick Lamar is definitely a force to be reckoned with. He truthfully speaks on the price of fame and his struggle with choosing to go mainstream or to remain underground by directly speaking to Drake. I think RapGenius sums up this track to perfection:
This might seem like a straightforward message of him talking about how much he cares about someone, but really it’s nothing like that at all. He’s using death as symbolism for becoming mainstream or “selling out”. He’s talking directly to Drake in the intro of this song, saying 'If Drake was in a pine box', not meaning if Drake was dead.. but saying if Drake being mainstream could be considered being dead.. and he had the choice.. he would put himself in the same position as Drake. Saying that as much as he recognizes that this is the death of what he once was, he would still make the choice to be what Drake is. (via RapGenius)
YEESS is all I can say when I hear Under Ground Kings. T-Minus and 40 make for an impeccable duo because the production on this is crazy. I especially love the way he says "I'm getting back to my ways" at the end of each verse. It would've been hot if Bun B was on this though because I got an Uptown vibe from So Far Gone.
We'll Be Fine is probably the first I guessrealhip-hop song on the album since he's not singing too much on it. It's one of those radio friendly tracks that will probably get a lot of air play. I can dig it.
After watching Drake and Nicki Minaj perform Make Me Proud on SNL there's no way that I can listen to this with a straight face. They're so playful with each other its almost disgusting lol...the good kind. I like the message behind his lyrics. Praising women who are out there making something of themselves without the involvement of sex, drugs, and alcohol. She's educated, takes care of herself, and goal-oriented. Who wouldn't be proud of that?
Lord Knows continues the party with another hip-hop banger. Rick Ross aka Ricky Rosey aka Mr. ICantFreakingBreathe. 'Uhhh' is all I have to say to you sir.
Now Cameras/Good Ones Go Interlude is my jam!! Love love love this song. 40 and Lex Luger knew exactly what they were doing with the production of this record. Jon B embodies the fine work of art that is R&B so I think sampling Calling On You was the perfect idea. Cameras fades out into another Abel Tesfaye falsetto`ed out track.
Doing It Wrong plays out like a wake up call to our lost generation. "We live in a generation of not being in love and not being together. But we sure make it feel like we're together because we're scared to see each other with somebody else". So true. This record manages to be heartbreaking and brilliant all at the same time. Stevie Wonder on the harmonica at the end is blissful.
Okay so scratch what I said before. You know, about how Drake shows his vocal ability on Shot For Me. Yeah I take that back. This...this right here...this is how you do it. The Real Her is exquisite. Andre 3000 kills. Drake kills. Weezy, ehh I guess he kills too :p
Look At What You've Done is such a sweet record. Here Drake takes the time out to thank his mom and uncle for all that they have done. He opens up about his mother's illness which served as motivation for him to get his life together and reminded him of their constant struggle to survive. He also opens up about his relationship with his uncle and how thankful he is to have a mentor like him. With his dad being absent from his life his uncle served as a positive male figure. This would have been the perfect closer.
Drake's flow on HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right) reminds me of his transition between the south and good ol' Canada. It starts of slow and then once you cross borderlines its on. He accelerates to infinity and beyond during the first forty seconds and swiftly pumps the brakes bringing it back down. The current down south references to Texas and Georgia only solidifies this.
Cash money sh*t this is indeed Drizzy. On Practice Drake samples Juvenile's certified throwback "Back That Azz Up". This song revolves around his relationship with a stripper out of New Orleans. He can tell that she's been through a lot but regardless of her past he's still willing to love her. He considers all of the other guys that she's met "practice" since he's the real deal.
The Ride closes out the album with The Weeknd on repeat in the background. Drake has been quoted saying that this is his favorite track off of the entire album and honestly I think this is one of my favorites as well.
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