<p><span><span>- It wouldn’t be the first third of the year if Drake<strong> </strong>didn’t surprise drop. While I’ve not been a fan of anything Drake since 2015’s <em>If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late</em> -especially not 2018’s bloated <em>Scorpion </em>or last year’s <em>Dark Lane Demos-</em> every project has contained moments that shine through the mediocrity, even if they are small. In preparation for his next album, titled <em>Certified Lover Boy</em> because of course it is, Drake has returned with a three-track EP entitled <em>Scary Hours 2</em>; a sequel to the EP preceding <em>Scorpion</em>. </span></span></p>
<p><span><span><em>What’s Next</em> follows the same triumphant formula as last year’s single <em>Laugh Now Cry Later</em>. While that track was boring across the board, <em>What’s Next</em> works only because Drake lifts his energy even slightly. The verses are the usual “rose from nothing and now I’m huge” that Drake loves to pull but I can’t help but enjoy it over the bouncy infectious production from <strong>Supah Mario</strong>. I like catching up on his life however Drake doesn’t need to explain he got laid on Valentine’s Day. That’s not really a superstar brag if the average man can do it.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span><em>Wants and Needs </em>featuring <strong>Lil Baby</strong> is a certified hit straight out the ballpark and is the moody pop-trap direction that <em>Lover Boy </em>has got to follow. Drake’s verse is the most solid across the EP; finally containing no bars that make my eyes roll with even a nice subtle dig at <strong>Kanye </strong>over his religious convergence. It’s Lil Baby who steals the show however with his energetic and hungry rhyme scheme that keeps on delivering. While Drake’s chorus took some growing on me, I can say without a doubt this is the best trap attempt he’s had in a long time. </span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Long time fans know the <em>Lemon Pepper Freestyle </em>formula well by this point but yeah it works again. Drake has always loved his long introspective cuts over chopped up and repetitive female vocals just to have a dear diary moment. His verses stay pretty captivating despite their length and lack of a chorus as he spills out about problems with his son’s mother as well as his son beginning school. Such a long verse leads to plenty of cringe-worthy Drake-isms however with bars such as “<em>I sent her the child support, she sent me the heart emoji.</em>” The opening <strong>Rick Ross </strong>feature could easily be cut but the track closes the EP on a solid note. </span></span></p>
<p><span><span><em>Scary Hours 2</em> works surprisingly well in Drake’s favour due to a lack of bloating and useless songs which would usually surround the meat of his project. While the two features are a hit and a miss, Drake himself does pretty solidly over some of his most fun production in a while. <em> </em>The jury is still out on <em>Certified Lover Boy</em> but if the project can be as short and concise it might be a winner. </span></span></p>
<p><span><span>- James Chadwick.</span></span></p>
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