“For All the Dogs” is the eighth solo studio album released by Canadian rapper and singer Drake containing a staggering 23 songs that range from multiple genres making this album one of Drake’s more unique and diverse in his discography. 

Over the past couple of months Drake has promised fans an album that spotlights “the old Drake” which would incorporate rap in the verses and singing in the chorus. While the album has multiple records that execute that format very well, others are boring and don’t stand out. 

Virginia Beach

“For All the Dogs” begins with a chill beat mixed with a sample from Frank Ocean’s song ‘Wise Man”. The sample flows well with Drake’s tone but doesn’t set the right mood for it to be the first record of the album. Overall the song is good but could’ve used a more enthusiastic voice from Drake rather than a tired one. 

Calling For You (feat.21 Savage)

Anyone who loves a Drake and 21 Savage duo would’ve skipped right to this record from the moment the album was released. The two rappers (who were just on tour together over the summer for their joint album, Her Loss) have a special bond whenever they are together in the studio working on new music. However, Calling For You wasn’t one of those songs where their voices connected like it did in their other collaborations. Drake’s part in the beginning of the record wasn’t an attention grabber like 21 Savage who had a great verse that executed the record better than it started. 

First Person Shooter (feat.J. Cole)

This collaboration is something special that not a lot of people knew they needed. The chemistry between Drake and J. Cole is undeniable and it is easy to tell that they work so well together by the clean transitions between verses. The best lyrics from this record is said by J. Cole when he shares his top three rappers in the game right now, “Love when they argue the hardest MC, is it K-Dot (Kendrick Lamar)? Is it Aubrey? Or me? We the big three like we started a league, but right now, I feel like Muhammad Ali.” This record is probably going to be the biggest hit off the album because of the lyrical mastery expressed in the track. 

Slime You Out (feat.SZA)

Slime You Out has been a hit since it was released three weeks prior to the album. Drake’s higher tone in the first 90 seconds of the song is something that fans don’t really get a lot of anymore. His ability to hit those higher notes as well as switch between different genres is what sets him apart from other rappers. The upbeat and chill mood of the song is what makes SZA the perfect artist to be featured in the song since her last album ‘SOS’ was more R&B than rap. The Drake and SZA collaboration was something that no one thought they needed but once heard together was something that people wanted . 

8am in Charlotte

The iconic timestamp series continues with the track 8am in Charlotte. Each timestamp is recorded at the time and place listed in the title and marks a distinct moment in his career with the last being 7am On Bridle Path from the album “Certified Lover Boy ” in 2021. 8am in Charlotte describes the challenges he has faced and the situation that he had to overcome along with the special person that helped him along the way. One lyric that sticks out the most is “I swear that y’all turned me into the villain, I couldn’t escape, not sayin’ I’m the best at what I do, I’m just sayin’ that it’s me versus whoever wanna lose”. Many people could argue that this track is the best timestamp released thus far in Drake’s career. 

Gently (feat.Bad Bunny)

This track is a very unique addition to the album since the majority of the song is in Spanish. Even though many people might not understand what either of them are saying, the bass-heavy beat and Caribbean finesse overrides the confusion. While the song starts off with a slower beat, it quickly transcends into one of the more energetic songs on the album. 

Rich Baby Daddy (feat.Sexyy Red & SZA)

While Rich Baby Daddy may be one of the weirdest collaborations and songs on the album, it is definitely catchy. Sexxy Red does what she has done with her own songs and other collaborations and creates a very upbeat and zestful chorus that ties both Drake’s and SZA’s verses altogether. Rich Baby Daddy is definitely one of those songs that is hard to forget is even a record on the album with how unique and surprising it was to hear. 

Away From Home

From the first couple of seconds of the track to the very end, Drake establishes a very clean bass that carries the beat and lyrics perfectly throughout the song. This song is a mixture of both rap and singing which brings back some newer Drake that was heard in his latest solo album, “Honestly Nevermind”. In this song, Drake reflects back on the challenges of fame and personal journeys which makes it one of Drake’s more emotional records included on the album. 

All in all, For All the Dogs is a good album that takes the listeners back to when Drake first hit the studio about 20 years ago. While there are a lot of hit songs on the album, there are also quite a few filler tracks that the album could’ve gone without. Drake’s ability to produce a mixture of genres and choose feature artists that match well with his pace of music saved the album overall. 

While Drake announced that he was taking some time off from making music, maybe the time away will help spark more creativity that will solidify him as one of the greats once and for all.