With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many of our favorite traditions are upon us. There’s the carving of the turkey, the demolition of gravy and stuffing and the arrival of a newly leaked Drake album. Maybe that last one isn’t a tradition yet, but with Drake’s sophomore album Take Care sharing the same leakage destiny as last year’s debut, we’re not too far away. However, if the tradition continues next year with an album as complete as this one, it’s a tradition that hopefully is here to stay.
The 18-track album provides something other albums seem to be lacking these days: character. This isn’t a compilation of independent hits, in which each song appears to have nothing to do with the last. Instead, each track feels as if it’s simply a piece of the overall puzzle.
With all the pieces connected, Take Care connects the former Degrassi actor’s rise to superstardom, his pitfalls and the resilience on giving up the crown any time soon. Drake tells his story without exactly shoving his fame and fortune down the throats of listeners. He mixes lyrics of success and glory with lyrics of vulnerability and heartbreak. “Marvin’s Room” paints a vivid picture of Drake pouring out his emotions to an ex-girlfriend while in an alcohol-induced state.
The 25-year-old covers a variety of topics, but what remains constant throughout the album are his undeniable command of the microphone and lyrical arsenal. “Lord Knows” goes above and beyond this as he shatters the rap norms of 16 bars per verse, while keeping it fresh and entertaining every step of the way.
Drake’s uncanny ability to seamlessly switch between his various styles of delivery is what sets this album apart. He can effortlessly go from rapping a verse in his infectious monotone voice to singing a harmonic medley. Unlike Nelly and Ja Rule, among others who have attempted this style of hip hop in the past, Drake possesses a trait that puts him in a class of his own because he can actually sing. Drake fully displays his diverse range and effortlessly walks a thin line between rapper and R&B singer in the album’s debut single “Headlines.”
Overall, Take Care can be defined in one word: smooth. From the fluid lyrics to the silky beats, the album holds its own personality from beginning to end. Granted it’s not a very fast-paced personality, but Take Care reminds us just how good it feels to slow things down every once in a while. Drake’s time has emphatically arrived, leaving everybody with no choice, but to watch the throne.