Nov. 16, 2023
By Marez Melad
Staff Writer
Drake has once again reached the highest level of success with “For All the Dogs,” which is his 13th album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.
The 37-year-old Canadian rapper and singer released his 23rd album on Oct. 6. In its first week, “For All the Dogs” sold over 402,000 equivalent album units in the United States, including 514 million streams, according to the tracking service Luminate.
The album cover bears special meaning to Drake, as it was drawn by his six-year-old son, Adonis Graham. While Drake did not provide further explanation, it is nice to see Drake giving his son the chance to share his creativity with the world.
Not only does the cover contrast Drake’s previous albums, so does the sound. His songs are more upbeat and fast-paced, which makes them perfect to play in the background when hanging out with friends or going for a car ride.
Drake makes a great decision by ending the album with “Polar Opposites” because its calm tone brings closure to the album.
The best song on the album is “First Person Shooter,” which features rapper J. Cole, who begins the song with a catchy “pew pew pew” sound. From there, he starts rapping, and then Drake joins him.
Throughout the song, Drake and J. Cole express how their confidence, skill and the pressure to always be on top in the music industry affects them positively. They also brag about how they can turn other songs into a “funeral” by outshining other rappers in a competition.
Most of the tracks on the album are not emotional, but “Polar Opposites” is an exception. In this song, Drake sings about an unstable romantic relationship where he is trying to understand the reason for his partner’s unpredictable behavior, such as blocking him on all social media.
Drake attributes it to her immaturity and tendency to act without thinking. With a calm beat, “Polar Opposites” shows Drake’s sensitivity. It breaks from his usual over-the-top style and reflects the more serious aspect of his personality.
Drake makes a great decision by ending the album with “Polar Opposites” because its calm tone brings closure to the album. Not too many artists do that, which makes it special.
Even if listeners are not die-hard Drake fans, they will appreciate this album because it has a song for everyone. The album may be titled “For All the Dogs,” but once you listen to it, you will realize it’s perfect for you too.
