In the former, the displacement of The Throne makes a definitive statement that Drake can survive with or without the old guard, even if the song itself leaves much to be desired. It's indicative of Views' insularity, particularly evident in how Drake has seen it fit to strip 'Pop Style' and 'Controlla' of their defining features. It opens up room for further experimentation, as 'Feel No Ways', a potential pop hit, is drained of its radio friendliness and made to embody some absolutely loathsome lines (' I tried with you / there's more to life than sleeping with you').

Its lead singles, the irresistibly hooky 'One Dance' and arrogantly anthemic 'Pop Style', give a sense of the proceedings, flicking between a lackadaisical poppiness and menacing trapiness. Where those albums stuck close to vitriolic lyricism and an almost total abandonment of guests, Views sounds eager to bring in the OVO family and make the most of the moment. In taking such a narrative, Views comes off as more of a celebration of Drake's ascent than the cautious ambience of Nothing was the Same or If You're Reading this it's too Late. But Take Care saw Drake's career from the vantage point of imminent greatness and promise alternatively, Views is the afterward, where the peak has been reached and the fall looks daunting if not unavoidable. In that sense, it's closer to the Kanye West of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, ground covered well five years ago on Take Care. Where that album seemed confused in its execution, though, Drake's vision for Views- one of Toronto, success, and the people who've helped pull it all off- is outwardly confident and surefooted in its direction. It's a quality he's yanked from Kanye West, whose own contempt for external critical narrative has fostered a reckless attitude that's persisted even into this year's maddeningly contrived The Life of Pablo.

There really wasn't any need for any of it, but it helped to cement Drake as some ineffable wunderkind to whom all criticism is untoward criticize Aubrey Graham, and it's likely your popularity and potential legacy will be left in tatters.

Consider that he spent the majority of 2015 half-heartedly feuding with a rapper worth half his game whilst pedaling a middling win in the victory lap of What a Time to Be Alive and the just okay smash hit 'Hotline Bling'. I'm sure Drake knows by now that he's practically untouchable. Review Summary: Shameless and delusional self-aggrandizing unmistakeably a Drake album.

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