Review: Views on “Views”

Drake dropped his most awaited album “Views” last week. Senior Ayesha Vishnani assesses the album behind all the hype.

Ayesha Vishnani, Opinion Editor

He dropped it late Thursday night, and I was frantically running around as a result of this frustrating proof:

Given: Drake released Views on Apple music

  1. I didn’t have Apple music
  2. I didn’t have a credit card to get Apple music
  3. Therefore, I didn’t have Views

After an agonizing day and A HALF, Views was finally in my possession.

But I had to calm myself down.

Based on my past experiences with Drake, I assumed I wouldn’t like the album much on the first listen. Drizzy tends to grow on me, and I felt that this time too I could not let my excitement skew my expectations.

I pressed play.

I was met with “Keep the Family Close.” Expecting to hear a more hard-hitting piece since it was the first song, I was taken aback. The song was puzzling; it had a raw, unhinged quality to it, with a beat far removed from mainstream R&B – I almost couldn’t believe it was Drake. The crisp, unconventional beats were perfect, and for the first time I felt like I had heard a pure version of the artist. He was talking about “Trust Issues,” but this time it was not about vulnerability; it was about reflection.

I realized the album was going to be more than full-of-feels Drake; it was going to be 82 minutes of self-actualization. Drake was back, rawer than ever.

 

Here are my top picks:

 

Track 7: “Redemption”

Unlike the first piece, Drake evokes a sense of nostalgia as he takes a more “Take Care” chilled-out style with this track – my lowkey favorite. This piece, however, is more about the story. Sorrys are hard, and Drake, master of conversation, sums up this reality in an extended conversation when he relates the struggle of losing his way and as a result, losing someone important.  He initiates the struggle with a deceitful mask – he’s better off without this girl but ultimately relates a desire to be understood. These paradoxes are not strangers to me – whether it’s being late to class for the hundredth time or screwing it up with a friend, I almost wish I could play this line the next time I cook up a storm: “I’m searchin for these words to say to you right now.”

 

Track 9: “Faithful” (feat. Pimp C & dvsn)

“You just trying to be somebody, ‘fore you say you need somebody.”

This verse isn’t just my favorite on the album, but also an echo of my current state of being. For me, Drake verbalizes the sentiments of ambition-driven females who are often trapped between independence and acceptance. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Drake flips traditional gender roles, speaking to a work-driven female by promising her his loyalty – “Get all your affairs in order, I won’t have affairs, I’m yours, girl.” Despite the aim and the context, the song couldn’t come at a more perfect crossroad of my life – where license to avoid the real world is expiring and I’m already living in fear of a person I haven’t even become.


Track 8: “With You” (feat. PARTYNEXTDOOR)

This song propels me to the present with its chilled out but catchy beats, reminding me to come down from cloud nine. It’s a piece that can appeal to anyone regardless of music taste – in fact I’ve had a certain Riya who, out of courtesy, agreed to listen to the album – and because of this song, exclaimed that she’d be downloading the album. As I look off to my future and my dreams, I’m forced to pull back and listen to the voice of today whispering, “It’s about us right now, girl, where you going?”

 

Track 16: “Too Good” (feat Rihanna)

Upbeat, vibrant but classy, the Ri and Drake duo doesn’t disappoint. This is currently (my Drake preferences evolve with time) my favorite track on the album overall as the combined flavors of rhythm and expression match my taste. The beats are faster than the other tracks, but the lyrics tell a relatable story about two people feeling taken for granted by the other. Like its double story, I see myself dancing along to the fast paced beats at midnight or wildly cruising down Antioch with the windows down, volume on full blast and no destination in mind, just hoping that the night can handle my insanity – like Drake and Ri hope for each other.

 

These are, of course, just a few of the masterpieces in Drake’s latest album. The truth is I kind of forgot I had access to other music this weekend, and I was expecting to shrug this album off – I’ve never liked Drake on the first listen. But I didn’t. So take a second to appreciate the rawness of this album; it’s at a different level of art. No matter who you are and whether or not you love Drake, rap or R&B, I can promise you there is something that will speak to you in the next 82 minutes.