After a long run-up that included videos with impressive cameos, fancy hairstyles, and knee surgery, when
Drake's
Certified Lover Boy was released, it came in at an epic length of 21 songs and was packed with a glittering array of guest stars from across the rap spectrum, including
Lil Durk,
Lil Baby,
Rick Ross,
Lil Wayne,
Kid Cudi,
Future,
Young Thug,
Travis Scott, and
Jay-Z. The album opener, "Champagne Poetry," contrasts a sped-up
Beatles sample ("Michelle") with an off-kilter bassline, then segues into a joyous gospel sample as
Drake revs up his flow. The first half of "N 2 Deep" forgoes trap clichés for some metallic guitar riffing and twinkling synths; "Pipe Down" is a strong R&B groove with swirling vocal samples, rumbling drum fills, and orchestra hits; and "Race My Mind" is a trippy late-night electro-soul ballad and a reminder that
Drake is a fine vocalist. The sunny "Fountains" adds some African funk to the mix and ends up being one of the album's highlights, thanks to some help from vocalist Tems. The record's most exciting song is the throwback jam "You Only Live Twice," which blasts away like a Bad Boy classic and features hugely entertaining verses from
Rick Ross and
Lil Wayne that overshadow
Drake's predictable rhymes. ~ Tim Sendra