Nothing Was Ever The Same: Drake’s Disappointing ICEMAN

On Friday, May 15, hip hop Icon Drake dropped his 17th studio album ICEMAN, along with two other albums, HABIBTI and MAID OF HONOUR

By: Jake Villarreal and Fabian Anguiano

Fabian’s Thoughts: When I first heard about this album, I thought this was just going to be a mediocre album with Drake dissing Kendrick Lamar and others for no Reason whatsoever; I was not wrong. 

This album disappointed me greatly, as I was anticipating Drizzy to come back with the melodies that originally made him a star; instead, we have him dissing LeBron James for turning him.

Favorite Songs: Though I did talk pretty bad on this album, there are some songs that I genuinely bump too; one of these is National Treasures. 

The beginning itself is great, with what sounds like a French sample that transitions beautifully into a beat that makes you feel like you’re sipping wine on a yacht. The only problem I have with this song is the beat switch; other than that, this is a song that will stay in my rotation for a good while. I give this song an 8 out of 10.

Another honorable mention is Janice STFU, specifically the first ten seconds until it is ruined by an unnecessary beat switch and some corny autotune. While the rest of the song was not terrible, it should have kept the same flow it started with. This song had the potential to be solid, but I have to give this song a 7 out of 10. Had a good amount of potential, just not met.

Overall, this album most definitely did not meet my expectations, has very few good songs, but the rest is pretty mediocre. That is why I will give this album a 4/10; Drake seems like he is falling off the grid.

Jake’s Review:  Aubrey Drake Graham. You really went through with this in the studio. You listened to these songs and thought this would make you relevant again?

I’m kidding. It’s not that serious, but man, I was disappointed.  ICEMAN was not even a 7. It’s maybe a 6/10, and that’s being a little generous.  It didn’t flow well, sudden beat switches, and the features were lackluster except for Future. (Sexyy Red? Really?) Drake himself wasn’t super bad on the lyrics, but some of this writing might’ve better stayed in the lost files.    

Bad things aside, Make Them Pay was a good song. Drake did his thing, instrumentals were solid, and the lyrics slapped hard.  Janice STFU was good, though the beat switch was unexpected and took away from the song overall.  Everything else was either just real mid or not good.  Don’t get me started on HABIBTI and MAID OF HONOUR. 5.4/10. Very disappointed.

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