<p><span><span>- Have you ever had that friend who you defend, despite everyone hating them, until one day they do something so bad that you lose hope? Post-2015 <strong>Drake</strong> is the musical equivalent of that friend. Before 2016, I defended the pop-rapper against his naysayers due to the ferocity of quality singles and projects he dropped that year. Something changed with the release of his hyped but ultimately mediocre <em>Views</em> album as every project since has been on a steady decline to the garbage heap. The spark in Drake is gone or maybe it was never there to begin with; but hey, it’s a new decade and maybe the Six-God has something up his sleeve with his new project <em>Dark Lane Demo Tapes</em>.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span><em>When to Say When</em> is a reinterpretation of the classic <strong>Jay-Z </strong>track <em>Song Cry</em> except without any of its acclaimed structure or story-telling. In fact, the use of the beat is the only thing that makes this song note-worthy in any way. Without it, it’s just another one of those Drake tracks where he raps about his hits, his women, and his mentor <strong>Lil Wayne </strong>for four minutes without a chorus.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>When I first heard <em>Toosie Slide</em> before this project, I thought it was a joke. Surely, as low as his quality control has become, Drake wouldn’t stoop to making a blatant TikTok dance in an effort to rack up streams? Yet I am surprised to say this is the only song that clearly has some thought or effort put into it. The track is irritatingly catchy with its simple dance steps, chorus and basic drum and synth chord beat. While it is in no way made for me, at least I can say that it executes the vision it is going for.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Drake teams up with <strong>Young Thug </strong>and <strong>Future</strong> on <em>D4L</em>: a leftover track from their collab. project <em>Super Slimey</em> and the only song I enjoy on this entire album. I can see that this is a clear throwaway and nothing special in the trap duo’s discography together but it is nice to hear someone actually try to have fun. A special mention to Future for not only being incredibly lazy with his flow but doing so while making the noises of a money counting machine.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span><em>Pain 1993</em> is the anticipated collab. with <strong>Playboi Carti </strong>and <strong>Pierre Bourne</strong> that led to nothing but disappointment. Pierre is at his laziest yet with a moodier, downplayed version of his <em>Old Money </em>beat. Carti blows his big career opportunity with a half-assed verse rapped through his highest-pitched baby vocals to date, showing that gimmick to be on its last legs. Drake saves the track with a perfectly fine chorus but honestly, who cares when two upcoming stars can’t even be bothered to try on a track with the world’s biggest rapper?</span></span></p>
<p><span><span>The rest of <em>Dark Lane Demo Tapes </em>is sadly unnoteworthy. When Drake isn’t imitating grime on tracks such as <em>Demons </em>and <em>War</em>, he is giving me musical chloroform with <em>Landed</em> <strong>Chris Brown </strong>collab. <em>Not You Too </em>and <em>From Florida with Love</em>. Although I didn’t sit through 2018’s <em>Scorpion</em>, this is my least favourite Drake project and the worst project of the year so far. I look forward to your album in a few months Drizzy. </span></span></p>
<p><span><span>- James Chadwick.</span></span></p>
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