Drake has released his fifth studio album, Scorpion a two-disc, 25-track release that clocks in at a daunting 90 minutes.
It comes with a pretty hilarious cover, which has a throwback feel and consists of a signed picture of Drake in monochrome.
Scorpion is low on featuring credits, with Jay Z, Ty Dolla $ign and Static Major appearing on tracks alongside the posthumous vocals of Michael Jackson. Producers who worked on the album include long-serving Drake collaborators Noah "40" Shebib and Boi-1da.
It comes with an editor's note, which appears to attempt to pre-empt the usual criticisms that dog the rapper:
I HATE WHEN DRAKE RAPS
DRAKE SINGS TOO MUCH
DRAKE IS A POP ARTIST
DRAKE DOESN’T EVEN WRITE HIS OWN SONGS
DRAKE TOOK AN L
DRAKE DIDN’T START FROM THE BOTTOM
DRAKE IS FINISHED
I LIKE DRAKE'S OLDER STUFF
DRAKE MAKES MUSIC FOR GIRLS
DRAKE THINKS HE’S JAMAICAN
DRAKE IS AN ACTOR
DRAKE CHANGED
ANYBODY ELSE > DRAKE …
YEAH YEAH WE KNOW
Here follows some first impressions of the album track-by-track as we spin it for the first time. Settle in its going to be a long ride (please allow a moment for the live blog to load).
Live Updates
16:35
That's that. The entirety of Drake's Scorpion, track-by-track. You can read a full review of the record written by Roisin O'Connor below.
Some last thoughts: Scorpion has some excellent tracks, and feels like classic Drake, but there are some real lows, particularly the beginning of Side B. Rather than 25 tracks, they really should have narrowed it down to perhaps 16, all killer no filler. Less is more, after all.
From myself and Chris, that's a wrap, hope you have enjoyed listening along with us.
16:32
25. March 14
Single father, I hate when I hear it
I used to challenge my parents on every album
Now I'm embarrassed to tell 'em I ended up as a co-parent
Always promised the family unit
I wanted it to be different because I've been through it
But this is the harsh truth now
I used to challenge my parents on every album
Now I'm embarrassed to tell 'em I ended up as a co-parent
Always promised the family unit
I wanted it to be different because I've been through it
But this is the harsh truth now
And we've finally made it. Just under 90 minutes of Drake, complete. That was a lot to take in. "March 14" once again addresses claims Drake has a son, the artist fully admitting the fact and comparing himself to his own parents.
The track begins with a hard-hitting, bass-y beat, ending with a slow piano beat as Drake sings about being alone. It's a good ending to an overstuffed album that could have cut a lot of filler.
16:08
24. Final Fantasy
I always need a glass of wine by sundown
There are some cheesy lyrics (as you've likely come to expect) during the first half of "Final Fantasy". But the song flies along with a cool bass line and light harps in the background.
Rather than go into a chorus, though, the whole thing flips into a completely separate song. But not in a cool way like, say, Frank Ocean's "Nights", but literally just stops halfway through and changes song. Thematically, the two are similar, talking about a woman (of course). Drake goes from rapping to singing over a guitar line, the drums stripped back. This one feels likes a half-baked idea that could have done with either scrapping or making full.
16:02
23. After Dark
Full on drums over a slinky guitar with a flange effect turned up to the max. It's cool, and Drake's lyrics remain fixated on the unknown "you".
Quite honestly, there's only so much of Drake's voice I can take this far into the record, and Ty Dolla $ign's verse makes for good relief. Plus, there's Static Major singing the chorus's "after dark", which sounds great, the high pitch vocals making for a perfect pop compliment to the track. Another sturdy track for the very, very long record.
15:55
22. Don't Matter To Me
Here we are: the Michael Jackson track, featuring previously unused vocals from the King of Pop. That's one huge flex from Drake, who has basically got longtime producer Noah '40' Shebib and "Hotline Bling" collaborator Nineteen85 to create a killer Weeknd-esque beat to put underneath the sample.
Drake concerns himself with a former lover who drinks too much to get over him. The beauty comes from MJ, whose vocals may have been given tremendous amounts of reverb but sit perfectly on the song. "Don't Matter To Me," with its moody groove, would be the obvious choice to release as the next single.
I'm fascinated by this sample. I would love to hear the original MJ song, and can't believe - considering how much the singer's back catalogue has already been pilfered - this previously unheard track exists.
15:42
21. In My Feelings
We're reaching the good stuff. Another fun track from Drake, featuring some great production, particularly on the break-downs, which feature various artists including Lil Wayne, City Girls, and Magnolia Shorty.
The beat features some great great drums, which lead the track and make this is a smooth bop. The lyrics may walk well-trodden ground, but there's bounce to the whole thing that was sorely missing from some earlier tracks.
There's also a great sample from the second season of Atlanta - from an episode that focussed on Zazie Beatz's character going to what was apparently a Drake party - which can only help boost the great show's profile. Recommended watching.
15:34
20. Blue Tint
Boastful, bravado Drake has the much better track on Scorpion. Alongside all the talk of a woman being "on ice" there's also some digs at the president and talk of "What a time this is / To be alive for this shit".
The track's upbeat, fun, and features Future. "Blue Tint" also comes in under three minutes, and all the better for it. A small banger that doesn't quite cut as a single, but makes for a fun listen. Something Scorpion desperately needs right now. More please.
15:25
19. That's How I Feel
Before the track even starts, you already know how this one's going to go from the title. And "That's How I Feel" has a classic Drake feel without overstaying its welcome (the shortest track on the B side of Scorpion). From beginning to end, the instrumental doesn't really change.
We're instead left with Drake's flow offering any changes that happen in the song, plus a sample of Nicki Minaj from a live show dating back to 2014. And the flow of Drake's rap is completely fine, but once again focuses on an already tried-and-tested Drake subject: a seemingly shallow woman who posts lots on Instagram.
Vacay to a place where you could
Take pictures, post on Insta'
Your friends say they miss ya
But they don't really miss ya
Take pictures, post on Insta'
Your friends say they miss ya
But they don't really miss ya
Side B of Scorpion desperately needs some more inspired tracks. But we're gradually getting there... right?
15:14
18. Ratchet Happy Birthday
A repeated piano sample acts as the centre to this track, which sees Drake aggressively tell someone to enjoy their birthday. Drake has been forced to let this woman enjoy her Birthday month with everyone - but our heartbroken Canadian wants her to himself.
I miss the days that you was all mine
Haven't been official in a long time
Haven't been official in a long time
After a fair amount of time, the smooth drums enter, followed by Drake making a machine-gun noise ("Brrrrrrr"). It's a fun, inconsequential track that's completely fine. The piano sample makes for good listening, but I can't help feeling that the song could have gone somewhere more entertaining.
15:03
17. Finesse
And we're back to Drake moping around, singing about a girl who has run away with another man. "Finesse" would fit perfectly onto Take Care: the beat's slow again, built around a piano chord.
The standout moment comes with the chorus and Drake's delivery of the word "finesse", with some great inflection on the word. Unfortunately, the lyrics are bog-standard (mentions of fashion week and emotions running high) while the last moments of reversing sounds are unremarkable. Another track that could have been shortened, sweetened, or left on the cutting floor.
14:56
16. Nice For What
Holla, the second side has finally turned up. Chances are you have already heard "Nice For What" somewhere, the track having conquered the US and UK singles charts. There's a masterful vocal sample of Lauryn Hill here, topped by perfect pop delivery from Drake. Murda Beatz has done a great job on production, and it's a shame there are no other songs from the Canadian on here.
14:51
15. Jaded
Big bass drum, high electronic hi-hats, fuzzy synths -- this is another standard Drake affair just with Ty Dolla $ign on ad-lib duty.
Yes I'm hurting, yes I'm jaded (jaded)
Most of these things I don't wanna say (jaded)
Most of these things I don't wanna say (jaded)
Drake's front and centre again, talking about a girl who only wanted to be with him for the fame. This track falls really flat, especially after two already slow-paced songs. It feels a shame that Ty Dolla doesn't have a verse of his own - the rapper much better used by Kanye on the recent batch of seven-track GOOD music records. Overall, this really feels like more slow-burn filler from Drake, and completely unnecessary considering there are 25 tracks in total.
14:38
14. Summer Games
A pulsating synth starts things off, echoing around my speakers and not stopping until the very end. The drums gradually pick up the pace, giving the track some momentum as Drake begins the heartbreak ballad.
Yeah, you say I led you on, but you followed me
I follow one of your friends, you unfollow me
I follow one of your friends, you unfollow me
Following on the theme of "Peak", Drake once again talks about women and social media, this time keeping tally of a partner's Instagram antics. Drake eventually lays everything on the table, singing about the person "breaking my heart" over and over again. The chorus also makes for soppy listening.
Yeah, you said “I love you” too fast
So much for that, girl, summer just started and we're already done
So much for that, girl, summer just started and we're already done
To be fair, although the lyrics are perhaps a little obvious, the song flies by. The drums are different, the synth keeping things bumping.
14:26
13. Peak
Side-B time. Full disclosure, I've given Scorpion a play-through already today and have had the Michael Jackson-featuring "Don't Matter to Me" on repeat ever since that first blast. Of course, we'll get onto that banger later.
Kickstarting the second side of the record we have "Peak", a slow, dark, "Marvin's Room"-type track that starts with the Princess Diana referencing line ("Treat you like princess / Rest in heaven, Diana") and continues with Drake discussing English women with no manners. Unfortunately, unlike "Marvin's Room," the chorus leaves much to be desired.
After making some on-the-nose observations about social media ("Talk used to be cheap, nowadays it's free / People are only as tough as they phone allows them to be"), Drake leaves us with a recording UK rapper Stefflon Don discussing a new partner with friends.
Overall, not exactly a big start to the second half of this very, very long record.
14:07
I've been listening to Drake for six hours and should probably eat or drink something. Passing the baton to my colleague Jack Shepherd who will bring this home with disc 2.
14:05
Only holdin' up I do is my end of the bargain
Only beggin' that I do is me beggin' your pardon
Only tryin' that I do is me tryin' the hardest
Only problems I do are math problems with profit
Only lyin' I do is lyin' out in the tropics
Only cryin' I do is cryin' from laughin' 'bout it
Only lackin' I can do is my lack of responses
Only rest that I do is "Where the rest of my commas?"
Still I rise, Maya Angelou vibes
^^^ This is a bad verse
Only beggin' that I do is me beggin' your pardon
Only tryin' that I do is me tryin' the hardest
Only problems I do are math problems with profit
Only lyin' I do is lyin' out in the tropics
Only cryin' I do is cryin' from laughin' 'bout it
Only lackin' I can do is my lack of responses
Only rest that I do is "Where the rest of my commas?"
Still I rise, Maya Angelou vibes
^^^ This is a bad verse
13:58
12. Is There More
Is there more? Yes, there certainly f*cking is, another 13 tracks to be precise.
But within the context of the album Drake is speaking philosophically here, wondering whether the flashy life he's living is really a life at all. "Is there more to life than goin' on trips to Dubai?" he asks, to which the answer is of course 'Oh my god yes, stop going to Dubai ffs.'
A stream of consciousness track, it has the open-ended feeling of '6PM in New York' and, if the rumour is to be believed, marks the end of the rap half of the album, before a more R&B-orientated half starts.
Is there more? Yes, there certainly f*cking is, another 13 tracks to be precise.
But within the context of the album Drake is speaking philosophically here, wondering whether the flashy life he's living is really a life at all. "Is there more to life than goin' on trips to Dubai?" he asks, to which the answer is of course 'Oh my god yes, stop going to Dubai ffs.'
A stream of consciousness track, it has the open-ended feeling of '6PM in New York' and, if the rumour is to be believed, marks the end of the rap half of the album, before a more R&B-orientated half starts.
13:12
It's Jay's verse that stands out here, particularly the headline-grabbing line "I got your president tweetin', I won't even meet with him", which seems to simultaneously diss Trump and Kanye.
11. Talk Up
It's crazy how close to the release of these massive albums work is still being completed on them. Jay-Z references XXXTentacion's death on this track, which only happened 11 days ago.
Drake and Hov collabs have a checkered history. 'Light Up' is one of my favourite tracks on Thank Me Later, while 'Pound Cake / Paris Morton Music 2' in 2013 served up possibly Jay's weakest ever verse. Then there's the whole 'Pop Style' debacle, with Drake sending the song off to Kanye for a guest verse only for it to come back with bars from both Kanye and Jay, the latter of whom Drake didn't actually really want on the track. Awkward.
Any beef seems to have been put to one side though, and 'Talk Up' is a fierce reflection on the streets on how these two men's childhoods have shaped them. I'm into that distant G-funk synth low in the mix.
Drake and Hov collabs have a checkered history. 'Light Up' is one of my favourite tracks on Thank Me Later, while 'Pound Cake / Paris Morton Music 2' in 2013 served up possibly Jay's weakest ever verse. Then there's the whole 'Pop Style' debacle, with Drake sending the song off to Kanye for a guest verse only for it to come back with bars from both Kanye and Jay, the latter of whom Drake didn't actually really want on the track. Awkward.
Any beef seems to have been put to one side though, and 'Talk Up' is a fierce reflection on the streets on how these two men's childhoods have shaped them. I'm into that distant G-funk synth low in the mix.
It's Jay's verse that stands out here, particularly the headline-grabbing line "I got your president tweetin', I won't even meet with him", which seems to simultaneously diss Trump and Kanye.
12:15
10. Sandra's Rose
Sandra's Rose! I hope this is launched as a new fragrance. Drake seems to be the rose in question, Sandra being his mother. It's an incredibly forgettable beat here but some nice lyrical dexterity from Drake.
He sounds pretty confident about his ability to deflect the negativity he attracts, but does Scorpion have a sting in its tail? "Spoiler alert: the second act is tragic" he raps, possibly referring to the album's second disc...
11:51
9. Can't Take A Joke
The ninth track on this album, which, coming a few releases after Nothing Was The Same, you could uncharitably title More Of The Same, expands or at least extends the theme of 'I'm Upset'.
The biggest struggle in Drake's life right now seems to be whether or not to respond to trolls and rivals (world's tiniest midi violin, I know), as he recognises that speaking out automatically gives them legitimacy but is also too prideful to just sit back.
He brags:
I'm still in the studio at 6:45
And my haters either on they way to work or they arrived
And my haters either on they way to work or they arrived
While confessing:
Back and forth to Italy, my comment section killin' me
I swear I get so passionate, y'all do not know the half of it
I swear I get so passionate, y'all do not know the half of it
Drake also adds his close friends to the list of people potentially out to get him, along with women, peers and the internet. A Tony Montana mindset appears to be setting in.
Scorpion is streaming now on Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal.
