The sophomore album, traditionally has been the prove you can do it again album, especially for artist that were successful right out the gate. The sophomore jinx has plagued many of your favorite artist and legends, said to be extremely hard because its the first time you have time away from music with your new found busyness and fame, great distractions for focus. And, its said that the sophomore album is extremely hard because your first album contains all of the best work you had over the years, and what ever you have left is your second best set and new stuff and you basically have to relive life all over again. The sophomore album can be a huge test, especially when you’re highly anticipated, and people have been waiting on the follow up since you dropped the initial offering. Next to take on the challenge of a career, Drake, YMCM’s own that exploded on the scene in a way not seen before and rapidly shot to the top of everybody’s radar, hate or love it.
After a successful first run out and a number of features, Drake finally releases Take Care.
Multi talented, different and creative are what made Drake a phenomenon to start with, so as expected the album is very alternative as opposed to what usually can be found in the mainstream, as expected Drake shows his rap and crooning skills and as expected his flow is his greatest strength. His flow is strength of his arsenal, his delivery f nothing else will pull you in and that hasn’t changed a bit.
Production wise its ok, but it could be a little more diverse, its different but sonically its the same sound consistently from track to track. Sonically its a real jazzy , real musical sound,no real big heavy drums or kicks, very smooth very mellow. So when that sound changes even if for a little bit it ver noticeable. Check “Headlines” for nod factor and “Underground Kings” for Ride Out music and Just Blaze laces him with one of those take’m to church beats with “ Lord Knows” which all serve as nice changes of pace.
The song making, as far as taking everything into account, is very good, but some of the hooks could be better. A few of the hooks are very simple and pop feeling, more care could have went into them
Lyrically solid from beginning to end as expected, but no monsters that stand way out, a few quotables here and there. Most of the quotables come form guest who blow up the verses in comparison to Drake who takes a backseat to his guest rather than challeneges them and be pushed by them. “Check Make me Proud” f/ Nicki Minaj “Lord Knows” f/ Rick Ross and “The Real Her” f/ Lil Wayne & Andre 3000.
He has a vast subject range and its greatly appreciated , but there doesn’t seem to be a great emphasis on focusing in on one particular subject and at times it appreciated, but considering the album has a concept album feel almost, you’d like to see him zone in on something and make it memorable. The albums versatility as far as delivery and style wise, doesn’t deliver much, its pretty stereotypical Drake
As far as originality, its different, its original . The album has some entertaining moments and it depends on how big of a Drake fan you are rather it will have a high replay value. Just as a person listening to an album its good but its not high replay for the entire album.
Overall, I think the album will do well sales wise, but its gone have mixed reviews. Its not a pop album but it seems to have some very pop elements about it. Its different but it seems like contrived different, as if they went in the studio like how can we make this different rather than just letting it come naturally. It sometimes seems forced and overdone. The flows are tight but lyrically it seems like there were creative problems, or some forcing. WSometimes he doesn’t sound inspired on this album, it doesn’t sound like he had fun writing and recording this album, like the pressure was on and it was all work. Seems as he was to busy focusing on the sound and trying to live up to being different and living up to last album to have fun. There are a few songs that probably should have been reworked or not on the album, most notably “ Practice”. Depending on which edition you have you may get a few extra songs but none that absolutely make or break the album. The album falls below expectation, I don’t expect it to change the culture, it doesn’t show any great risk or development, it picks up where Thank Me Later left off. I think a weakness is his trying to do both sing and rap, he's good at both but not a master at either. He doesnt write supremely or have masterful technique as a singer. As an Mc he doesnt always bring it and his hooks are off . So its difficult for him to do a rap sing recording on one track. He should focus on mastering one completely or he'll be a jack of all trades and master of none. No big surprises, or unexpected events, techniques or styles. Ill give the album a rating of 3 out of 6 stars.
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