Album Review: Drake is Searching for Revenge All 'Summer Sixteen' with New Album "Views"

/

(Young Money/Republic Records)

Drake has released his new album, shortened from Views from the 6 to simply Views, late last night. This album has been highly anticipated not only because Drake is a well-known, well-liked rapper in the hip-hop realm, but also because his single “Summer Sixteen” included lyrics hyping up the value of his new music. He raps, “All summer sixteen, playin’ dirty not clean… Lookin’ for revenge all summer sixteen.” Though this album certainly brings the sexual coolness that makes Drake able to play with pop queens such as Rihanna in her song “Work,” Views also creates an introspective view on his undoubted success derived from a humble upbringing as a Toronto native.

In addition to Drake’s twenty-track album, he also includes huge stars as features on multiple tracks. Future, Rihanna, and PARTYNEXTDOOR are all artists that add to his album without overshadowing the unique-sounding rapper. In general, the album directly parallels Drake’s sound that has made him famous: it’s light and smooth while still maintaining quick and witty rap lyrics that rise to the surface of every track. Songs like “Weston Road Flows” describes a humble beginning for the rap star that verifies his relentless ego that pervades his music now. Though the hip-hop genre is filled with proud ego, Drake argues through this song that the hard work put in along the way is the reason it should be rewarded. Furthermore, “Grammys” featuring Future includes like such as “I pull up in yachts so big that they try to hit me with boat fines OVO a gold mine… but I'm going to go no time… hall of fame, hall of fame.” This is the cocky contrast to the explanation in “Weston Road Flows,” describing the beginning versus the current luxurious lifestyle. 

Drake also includes songs on the album like “Childs Play” that is an extremely witty insult song to a girl that lightens the mood of Views. The following lyrics are in only one verse of the song that accurately describes the brilliant yet cold attitude Drake ensues to the female subject of the song. “Why you gotta fight with me at Cheesecake? You know I love to go there, say I'm actin' light skinned, I can't take you nowhere. This a place for families that drive Camrys and go to Disney. They don't need to know all of our business. You wildin', you super childish; you go to CVS for Kotex in my Bugatti. I took the key and tried to hide it, so you can't drive it, and put on mileage, then you find it, awkward silence.” He compares the relationship and her actions to child’s play; it’s the best way to describe immaturity between two people in reflection of a relationship. 

In total, Views is the epitome of Drake’s artistic identity to present day. The extensive twenty-song track list includes icy sensuality, witty attitude, and insight into his journey towards the current pinnacle of his career. Though Drake’s tendency towards lighter, smoother rap pervades the tracks, his also includes tracks with features such as Future to highlight harder, louder rap to even out the album’s tone. Fans should be satisfied, even after “Summer Sixteen” and its hype, at Views’s well-rounded sound. 

Album Review: Beyonce Serves Up Ice Cold Glass of "Lemonade"

/

(Parkwood Entertainment)

Beyoncé’s new album dropped Saturday. Titled Lemonade, her new album came with a twist: a video that incorporates the songs from her album in a lengthy, short film-like context. Not only does Beyoncé use the music video mix of her new album to create a backdrop for an artistic rendition of Lemonade; she also incorporates talking parts and monologues throughout the video that describe the artistic content to come in the following scenes. The backgrounds and sets are intense, filled with cultural representations of her heritage and family, scary and grungy garage and red-lit hallways, childhood and interview videos, and nature shots. 

Each mini music video within the larger context of the whole-album video accurately reflects the vibe of the song. Queen B’s hot topics of this album encircle three major themes: husband infidelity, black female oppression (historically and currently), and her heritage. Many scenes reflect the Southern upbringing that Beyoncé had. However, her reflections on love in the album are not positive; Beyoncé spends a lot of lyrics insulting and describing the pain that a man caused her by cheating. One can assume this might be a personal, artistic outlet to marital problems with Jay-Z, or it could be a general reflection of what she has witnessed around her. 

Beyoncé also includes numerous shots of other black women, with different culturally typical hairstyles and outfits that reflect current and historical tradition. Beyoncé seems to heavily delve into reflection of her own family lineage and history of her people while connecting it to her current struggles growing through love and art. In one striking scene, the camera pans from different mothers who hold photos of their deceased sons, assumingly from gang violence or police brutality, two problematic issues the African American community faces. In Lemonade, Beyoncé grounds herself deeper and more reflectively than we have ever seen her. While BEYONCÉ was centered solely on love, sex, and female portrayal, this album and its accompanying video gives fans a much better look into who Queen B is as a person outside of the glitter and off the stadium stages.  

However, though the album delves into a lot of intense issues associated with Queen B’s exploration of her heritage and herself, the album and its video end with a positive light. She states in a monologue, “We will heal.” She is hopefully correct; the African American suppression in America has been persistent for years, turning from blatant forms such as slavery to subtle forms such as structural inequality. In addition, she adds a positive not about relationships after discussing infidelity throughout her album. Whether Queen B is explicitly talking about Jay-Z cheating, a probable assumption, she states, “Our love was stronger than your pride.” This song is accompanied with videos including Jay-Z and B being happy together. The viewer/listener assumes that B forgave the cheating due to the broader picture of their strong love and future as a happy couple who can forge past a mistake. It is to be seen if she is talking about her family with Jay-Z and Blue Ivy, but all the video included of her happy family insinuates such. Beyoncé ends Lemonade on a positive note in comparison to its beginning, ending the credits with her previously released music video of “Formation.” Queen B, yet again, you slay. This time, you slay on a level deeper than discussing curves and boys; delving into the messy historical content of being an African American woman in America in a long term relationship in the public eye deserves praise.

Stream Lemonade over at Tidal.

Album Review: Big Sean & Jhene Aiko Release Joint Album "TWENTY88"

/

(Def Jam Recordings)

Big Sean and Jhené Aiko have made their debut as TWENTY88 with the release of their collaborative self-titled project TWENTY88. It is an eight-song album that incorporates both of their artistic voices throughout each track. Aiko comes from an R&B background that brings smoothness and girly qualities to the songs, while Big Sean has lighter rap vocals that create a complimentary male presence. The cover art of the project is a close up on both artists’ faces, demonstrating that this is their collaborative voice, and this is real. Both artists have been good friends for years, and it’s exciting to see them branch out as a duo.

“2 Minute Warning” is one track on the album that features other artists as well as the duo itself. K-Ci, JoJo & Detail feature in “2 Minute Warning.” The chorus of the song that Aiko sings has a choral quality to it with backup singers that creates a preachy quality that the other songs do not possess. She repeatedly sings, “It’s a two minute warning, and I know that you’re horny.” The song is sexual like many of the other songs on the project; the tension between the duo is felt through what the lyrics state. Big Sean’s rapping tempo speeds up throughout the verses, demonstrating the qualities of his artistic talent that have created his rising stardom. 

“Déjà Vu” is a song on the project that holds a very slow tempo discussing the feelings between the two voices that used to hook up. It is a “DTR (Define The Relationship)” Moment; two friends who are figuring out their feelings because they miss each other and what they used to have. It is a catch-up moment as well as a reminiscence of an old hook up that might actually still care about each other. Aiko sings, “Does it ever occur to you that you told me you love me, then you turned around to your homies and told them we were just f*cking?” The girl’s voice is coming from a place of confusion, while the male voice is also reconsidering his past decision-making. The song holds a good place in today’s society where romantic situations like that are prevalent. The slow tempo of the song adds to the emotion between the two singers.

TWENTY88 has officially made their debut with their TWENTY88 project. It is a mix of R&B and light rap of Big Sean and Aiko, creating a cool and easy-to-listen-to vibe throughout all eight songs. 

Album Review: K. Michelle Solidifies 'Queen of R&B' Title on 3rd Studio Album "More Issues Than Vogue"

/

(Atlantic Records) 

K. Michelle dropped her new album More Issues Than Vogue earlier today. It cover art accurately represents the overall mood of the album. Its fun, abstract art displaying pink and black-and-white writing represents the sassy, upbeat music that K. Michelle has created for her fans. K. Michelle is blowing up a pink bubblegum bubble on the cover with a man trapped inside of it; behind the zoomed-up scene are words describing the “issues” that the album title hints at. It’s ballsy while also maintaining a girly vibe. Much like the attitude that K. Michelle displays in the album, More Issues Than Vogue displays a strong, feminine front to the R&B world.

“Make the Bed” featuring Jason Derulo is a potential breakout radio hit off of the album. First, Jason Derulo is famous for creating fun, catchy hits much like rapper Flo Rida. The chorus repeats, “Why do we, why do we, why do we make the bed when we know we’re going to mess it up again?” It’s very flirty; it certainly is a love story or hook up story between Derule and Michelle. The fun and flirty lyrics match quick and upbeat tones that together create a perfect spring radio hit. Look out for the song on the mainstream stations. 

“These Men” demonstrate a more serious, sensual side to K. Michelle than “Make the Bed.” Though this song does not carry the radio sound that “Make the Bed” does, it better demonstrates her vocal ability in the R&B realm. The tempo is slower accompanied by snaps in the background. Her vocal range is prevalent. She sings, “These men, they don’t know nothin’ ‘bout love.” It is a plea for a man to step up and save her from her cynicism that she sings throughout the song. Her tone is adamant; it matches the emotion in the lyrics. The listener gets a hint of the Jennifer Hudson qualities in her voice. In addition, later in the song, Michelle gives a speech that emphasizes are sassy attitude that is part of her artistic identity. 

More Issues Than Vogue shows a well-rounded portrayal of the R&B artist. It includes upbeat, quick songs in addition to slower ballads that demonstrate her vocal qualities. K. Michelle is not an artist to take lightly; expect to hear hits from this album on mainstream radio as she continues to grow upwards. 

Album Review: ZAYN Showcases Unique Artistry on Solo Debut

/

(RCA Records)

ZAYN released his debut solo album Mind of Mine today. There are a whopping eighteen songs on the Deluxe Edition, including the singles he has released leading up to the release: “PILLOWTALK,” “LIKE I WOULD,” “iT’s You” and “BeFoUr.” Though “PILLOWTALK” is by far the most successful of the singles, ZAYN does not hold back with the rest of the album. The album is sensual, dark, mysterious, and very indicative to what the artist ZAYN stands for. There are not doubts that ZAYN has left his bubblegum boy-band image behind with his absence from One Direction, and he demonstrates to the music industry and fans that his talent delves much deeper than a boy-band image. His maturity ebbs through Mind of Mine due to its subject matter but also the artistic choices that create a metamorphosis effect to ZAYN’s image.

“wRoNg” featuring Kehlani is an example of a song that shows ZAYN’s artistry while collaborating with a big name such as Kehlani. The chorus states, “You’re looking in the wrong place for my love.” The whole vibe of the song is mysterious and sexual; it is an offbeat love song between two people, as Kehlani sings, “We’re only good for the nighttime.” The lyrics combined with the slow, continuous backbeats create the perfect turn-on song. Their voices mix well together, as ZAYN is able to reach a high register, and Kehlani has a beautiful R&B-esque tone to her voice that create a promiscuous feel when combined together.

ZAYN also turns away from his sensual song vibes with songs such as “fOoL fOr YoU” that is a love song. It demonstrates his skills as a pianist, and his skills as a male singer who has a wide vocal range. It’s a beautiful song filled with dedication towards another; this opens the door to a cutesy, upbeat song on the album in contrast to the dark, sexual side the listeners also hear on the album. He sings, “I just love being a fool for you… I’m a fool for you and the things, the things you do.” The song’s pace is one that could be turned into a slow dance, which further expresses its lovesick sentiments.

However, the mature tracks on the album outweigh the upbeat ones. One of the more underrated songs on the album is “TiO,” which stands for Take It Off. ZAYN sings, “I just want to watch you take it off; take off all your makeup baby take it off; I just want to watch you take it off; take off all your clothes and watch you take them off.” It’s song explicitly about sex, and how ZAYN and the woman he’s referring to, like it, habits and all. From his One Direction days, this is a huge plunge into a different direction that much more raw and enticing. With ZAYN’s vocal range of falsettos and high-pitched notes, the R&B subject content fit the vocal renditions. The song is dangerous, fun, and catchy. This could possibly be the dark knight for his next radio hit off the album.

There is no doubt that ZAYN’s boy-band days are left far behind him. He not only experiments with maturity in his lyrics, but ZAYN also demonstrates his vocal and artistic talent through slower songs, as well. Mind of Mine shows a rainbow of whom the artist ZAYN is, as his solo career is birthed in the music industry. His transition resembles Nick Jonas stemming from the Jonas Brothers. Both artists leaned towards an R&B sound in progression from their limited scope in a band. Expect to see much more from ZAYN as he continues to progress solo.