On October 6, Drake unveiled his eighth studio album For All the Dogs, to the world. Released after months of teasing and speculation, it channels what fans call “Old Drake,” combining his past styles of production with a new sound. It follows Certified Lover Boy and Honestly, Nevermind, which Drake has termed as a “trilogy.” The project also follows the collaborative album Her Loss with rapper 21 Savage.
The album opens with “Virginia Beach,” as the intro track, setting the stage on what the album is: a reflection of his career. It is a callback to his past experiences; he performed in Virginia Beach in 2014, embracing his career coming full-circle. The song also samples Frank Ocean’s unreleased track “Wise Man,” which is an immediate hook for fans of both artists.
Next, “First Person Shooter,” which features J. Cole, discusses Drake’s success during the time when he was close to tying Michael Jackson for the most No. 1 singles by a solo male artist. Ironically enough, this song went to No. 1, helping him tie Jackson’s record.
Following “First Person Shooter” is “IDGAF,” which was trending online for a line in the song where Drake clumsily joins Yeat during a verse. Memes aside, it’s an alright song at best; the collaboration between the artists seems a bit messy.
“Slime You Out,” the lead single off the album, is a collaboration between Drake and SZA. It was announced by the two artists on September 13, with the single’s cover art as a photo of Halle Berry, who was slimed at the 25th Annual Kids’ Choice Awards. The track is a noteworthy song for its R&B style and emotional lyrics, and unlike the aforementioned collaboration, it comes together exceptionally well.
“Bahamas Promises” is arguably the slowest part of the album, yet it blends well with his other tracks, creating another highlight. Its backing track seems to fit the song’s theme well: realizing that a relationship is failing while on vacation in the Bahamas. The chords give a feeling that is somehow both tropical and melancholic.
“8am in Charlotte” comes next. A day before the album officially dropped, Drake dropped a five-minute video on his Instagram featuring his son, Adonis. With the soft choir in the background, combined with the elusive 808s, Drake sets out to explain how “they tried to kill him, but ‘The Boy’ prevails.”
Next is the viral “Rich Baby Daddy,” featuring Sexyy Red and SZA. The chorus is an instant attention grabber, with its upbeat, catchy and repetitive lines from Sexyy Red. This, however, doesn’t take away from SZA’s angelic voice paired with the mellow transition into Drake’s outro, completing the song.
The album closes with “Polar Opposites,” a slow song which concludes the album well. The song emphasizes the complexities between two people in a relationship and their similarities and differences. It allows the listener to leave with their own reflections on personal relationships.
Overall, the album is a decent addition to Drake’s discography; it has some great highs, notably “8am in Charlotte,” “First Person Shooter” and “Bahamas Promises,” despite the varying tempos and repetition. It’s a step up from his other recent works such as Certified Lover Boy and Honestly, Nevermind. This album validates his ongoing dominance in the rap game, earning Drake a 2024 Grammy Nomination. This now raises the question: will it be For All the Grammys?