3 Stars

Anyone who has listened to Drake’s new album Views can agree that it’s a different sound than anything he has released before. His stories have become more personal making this one of his most emotional albums to date. It’s almost a love letter written for his hometown of Toronto. Songs like “Weston Road Flows” are filled with local references that highlight his rise to success. “Controlla,” “One Dance,” and “Too Good” are exciting songs with intricate beats. Along with the upbeat tracks, Drake makes sure to balance it out with a look into his emotional mind. Though there are moments of genuine emotion, the album goes back and forth between self-expression and self-absorption. With lyrics like “Thoughts too deep to work ‘em out with a therapist,” Drake leaves listeners wondering if he’s actually okay. With 20 songs, the album can feel like it’s dragging at times. Some songs, like “Feel No Ways” and “Still Here” lack individuality and weigh the album down. Even though Drake missed some opportunities to be better, the album flows very well. The featured artists (Rihanna, Future, and more) only boost the album’s energy and overall effect on the listener. Views proves to be an impressive album even with its flaws.