Canadian Rapper, Aubrey Drake Graham, released his fourth album, Views, on April 29, 2016. In my opinion, Views is one of Drake’s top albums released in his entire career. The top songs in the album are Child’s Play, One Dance, Controlla, Hotline Bling, and 9. My top songs in the album are Child’s Play, Summer’s Over Interlude, Feel No Ways, Weston Road Flows, and Redemption. Drake’s music is extremely popular, as he is ranked the #1 hip-hop artist according to Billboard. Many people, especially those who favor “old Drake,” appreciate his top hits from the 2010s. However, there are some songs that people don’t enjoy, such as Fire & Desire, Pop Style, and Still Here.
Views is also Drake’s top-listened-to album on Spotify, dominating Take Care and Scorpion, other popular albums he has created. Drake’s strengths, particularly with his album Views and other releases, lie in his ability to connect the lyrics to people personally, making the music so memorable to them. For example, the lyrics in “Redemption,” such as “I gave your nickname to someone else … I miss the feeling of you missing me,” address the conflicting emotions experienced after a breakup, relating his personal experiences to his listeners who have gone through something similar. A weakness is how many people think each song may be too long to listen to and enjoy patiently. If you genuinely enjoy listening to each song and Drake in general, that won’t be such a weakness, as many people would enjoy listening to someone as long as possible. The people featured in it made this album enjoyable, including Wizkid, Rihanna, Future, PartyNextDoor, and most notably, Kanye West.
A unique aspect of his album is the seamless integration of Toronto, his hometown, in most of the songs. Drake speaks highly of Toronto, Canada, and mostly refers to it as “The 6”. Overall, this album is my favorite by Drake, as I’m a massive fan of his. This album features its most popular songs, which remain hits today. I highly recommend listening to this album if you’re wondering which of Drake’s best songs are, in my personal opinion. Drake’s album, Views, is all about his feelings, relationships, and life in Toronto, seamlessly blending rap and R&B to create an emotional vibe. The songs feature catchy beats and smooth vocals, making them easy to listen to.
Drake does a good job blending singing with rapping in all his songs. One of the album’s strengths is that it feels personal and relatable, almost as if he’s opening up to his fans; for example, the song “Weston Road Flows.” In that track, Drake discusses growing up, losing friends, and navigating the pressure of success. However, a weakness is that some songs start to sound the same, and the album can feel a bit too long, as seen in Fire & Desire.
In the review of the song, one critic wrote, “The lyrics get repetitive… The lack of depth becomes evident, and the lyrics begin sour.” This track is often cited as an example of the album’s weaker moments, particularly in terms of variety and memorability. Overall, Views is a solid album with strong vibes and honest messages, even if it doesn’t always maintain a consistent level of excitement throughout. I would still recommend Views, but with some warnings. The album boasts a chill vibe and features numerous emotional, late-night songs that are easy to get into, especially if you enjoy music about relationships and self-discovery.
Drake has some powerful tracks that feel personal and honest. However, the album is quite lengthy, and some songs begin to blend, which can make it feel repetitive over time. If you enjoy slower, moody music, you’ll likely love it; however, if you prefer something more energetic or fast-paced, this might not be your favorite Drake project. It’s worth listening to at least once, especially for the standout songs.
