6.9 - Drake Album Review: For All The Dogs

Drake's "For All the Dogs" isn't just an album; it's a moment in time, capturing an artist on the precipice of a significant life and career milestone. As he nears 40, the stakes are higher, both for the man and the brand that is Drake. The album opens with "Virginia Beach," a track that serves as a microcosm of Drake's current existential crisis. He raps about the allure and pitfalls of fame, but the subtext is clear: Is this lifestyle sustainable as he approaches middle age?

The guest features on the album, particularly J. Cole's reflective verse on "Mirror Image," serve as both a highlight and a cautionary tale. They offer a glimpse of what Drake could become—an elder statesman of hip-hop who can still hold his own among the younger generation. But they also underscore the album's lack of focus, raising questions about whether Drake is using these collaborations to deflect from his own uncertainties.

Musically, the album is a mixed bag, emblematic of an artist in flux. "First Person Shooter" is a high point, a bold declaration of Drake's ambitions. But then there are tracks like "Rich Baby Daddy" that feel like a retread of themes Drake has explored ad nauseam. The album's length—23 tracks—only exacerbates this sense of inconsistency. It's as if Drake himself isn't sure what he wants to say, so he says it all, for better or worse.

Yet, despite its shortcomings, "For All the Dogs" has moments that hint at a more mature Drake. "Midnight Cruise" is one such track, a haunting ballad that suggests a willingness to explore new emotional and musical terrain.

Lyrically, the album is a reflection of Drake's current state of mind—conflicted, complicated, and at times, tone-deaf. Lines like "She said she was vegan, she eatin' a goat" from "Daylight" feel like Drake is playing it safe, relying on tried-and-true formulas. Others, like "Whipped and chained you like American slaves" from "Slime You Out," have been criticized for their insensitivity, suggesting a lack of self-awareness that is concerning for an artist at this stage in his career.

This album could very well be Drake's last before he turns 40. And what that next chapter will look like is anyone's guess. Will it be a Drake who has evolved, both as an artist and a man, embracing the complexities and responsibilities that come with age? Or will it be a Drake who is stuck in time, clinging to the themes and sounds that made him a star but risk making him irrelevant?