MORE

In lieu of a Welcome To The Week playlist curated by me, October Firm has provided the sounds for this week and most definitely the ones after that.

More Life was presented to the world Saturday night on OVO Sound Radio, which has become The Boy’s preferred method of premiering new music. When I heard that it was a “playlist” as opposed to an album, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Maybe it was going to be an OVO album, a la Cruel Summer. Maybe the plan was a compilation of original songs performed by some of Drake’s favorite artists.

Semantics aside, what we got was a new Drake album, one with 22 songs at that.

Whereas Views felt like it dragged at 20 songs, More Life could be 40 tracks and it wouldn’t feel like enough. There are so many different genres represented on this project that it feels like listening to four different EPs over the course of a hour and 20 minutes. Whether it’s trap-inspired rap, dancehall, afrobeat, house, R&B, you name it: it’s all represented and seamlessly flows from one to the other.

After a few complete listens, here are my highlights:

Free Smoke is a very solid intro
I wouldn’t be surprised if the songs from the dancehall/afrobeat/house section (Passionfruit, Get It Together, Madiba Riddim, Blem) make their way onto the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100)
Thug’s verse on Sacrifices is amazing
Since Way Back is so smooth. Drake and Party have another one
Do Not Disturb is a great track to close out the album

This list is not comprehensive and is sure to change the more I listen. I have a feeling that this project is going to have some staying power and will be the soundtrack for when the warmer weather comes.