Drake released a 14-minute short film, titled “Jungle,” on Feb. 12 that featured snippets of music many speculated would appear on his expected album, Views From the 6. The following day, If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late dropped.
By ETHAN CRANE – Senior Copy Editor
Canadian recording artist Drake surprised fans worldwide with the unannounced release of his fourth studio album on Feb. 13.
Canadian recording artist Aubrey “Drake” Graham released his fourth studio album If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late without prior announcement on Feb. 13 to the delight of fans worldwide. The long-awaited release marks Drake’s first release since the Sept., 2013 release of his studio album Nothing Was the Same.
Drake’s surprise release of If You’re Reading This did not hinder commercial success, debuting at number one on both Canadian and Billboard charts. The model of unpublicized release has been dubbed “pulling a Beyoncé” following the singer’s unannounced release of her self-titled album in Dec., 2013, and has been echoed by Icelandic singer Björk with her January album Vulnicura and, now, Drake.
The 17-track record features invigorating beats that recall every iteration of Drake past–from So Far Gone through Nothing Was the Same–and meet the bar he already set high. But If You’re Reading This presents a new level of lyrical sophistication that immediately qualifies the mixtape as immaculate.
Songs like “Energy” and “6 Man” present a lyrical prowess with a streak of a defiant self-reliance. “Energy” opens strong: “Look, I got enemies, got a lotta enemies / Got a lotta people tryna drain me of my energy.” If You’re Reading This also places focus on the frustration Drake faces as a successful member of the music industry—the release date is, evocatively, the sixth anniversary of So Far Gone.
If You’re Reading This makes it clear that Drake’s true passion is—and always has been—music. “Star 67” highlights the frustrations the music industry has introduced to his life: “Walk up in my label like where the check, though?” As he then says, “I never ever thought I’d see that in my life,” showing that Drake’s drive is not the profit, but the product of his labor.
If You’re Reading This provides a clear return to Drake’s musical roots. The blunt nature of the record’s track are reminiscent of his début, and while the songs are not ostentatious, they are impressive and thrilling for any fan.
Out of it all, one thing about If You’re Reading This is clear: Drake made this album for one person only—himself.
