Artist: Drake and PartyNextDoor
Album Title: $ome $exy $ongs 4 U
Genre: Hip-hop, Trap music, Contemporary Rhythm and Blues
Release Date: Feb. 14, 2025
Album Rating: C+
On Feb 14, 2025, Drake & PartyNextDoor released a long-awaited album. After announcing a joint album during a live show in Toronto, fans have been waiting patiently for months. The album features collaborations with Pim, Yebba, Ice Spice and Chino Pacas. With 21 songs ranging from different styles and genres, listeners get a new experience with each song. Presenting themes of both romance and playful attraction, “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” created a fun vibe with catchy beats and flirty lyrics.
“Although I love this album, it can never compare to the older albums Drake and PartyNextDoor have made. It comes close, but none of the songs fully brought the vibes of songs like ‘Recognize’ and ‘Shot for Me’. It’s a good album, but it definitely isn’t better than the older ones,” freshman Alejandra Perez said.
Track 1: CN TOWER
Rating: B-
“CN TOWER” is the first track on Drake and PartyNextDoor’s joint album. The artists use the symbol of the CN Tower to communicate their feelings to another person. The CN Tower is one of the tallest buildings in the world. It is found in Toronto, Canada, and was built with the intention of broadcasting radio and television signals for clear communication. It is a popular tourist destination and the tallest structure in Canada, still in use today with thousands of people working there.
By referencing the CN Tower, the songwriters use its status as the tallest tower in Canada to symbolize the immense height of love. The two songwriters refer to the tower’s various colors, singing the lyrics “What color’s the CN Tower? It’s blue now Like how I’m feelin’ ’bout you now” to express their feelings metaphorically. Although the song is catchy and fun, it ends up feeling repetitive and slow after a while.
“I really enjoyed this album, despite many people’s negative opinions about it. My favorite song on the album is ‘SPIDER-MAN SUPERMAN’ because of the nostalgia it makes me feel. It brings back memories of life in 2022 after COVID when things were starting to return to normal and everything felt more relaxed since people were readjusting,” junior Sofia Atay said.
Track 3: LASERS
Rating: B+
The song “LASERS” is about a tattoo on a girl’s back. The title of the song arises from a method used for tattoo removal to symbolize him moving on from the tattoo and therefore the girl. Toward the end of the song, Drake sings verses that mention the pain of removing the tattoo, emphasizing how it helps the girl understand her mistake of tattooing the name.
“The first time I listened to the album, I wasn’t impressed but after giving the songs a second and third try, I’m starting to love the album. The variety of styles throughout the album makes it enjoyable to listen to, no matter what mood I’m in,” sophomore Abel Fernandez said.
Track 14: NOKIA
Rating: A+
“NOKIA” is a lively, catchy song, and a later song in the album meant to bring a more upbeat vibe. It is without a doubt the catchiest, with countless dances on social media such as TikTok uprising within a week of the album’s release. The title NOKIA is a reference to the phone, symbolizing how things were in the past and reminding both him and his listeners about it.
Although the song has a deeper meaning, the upbeat tempo allows listeners to enjoy it beyond the surface of the lyrics. The line “Where’s the function?” adds a layer of energy to the song, capturing the vibe of someone who is eager to go out and enjoy themself. This line contrasts the more emotional sides of the song, where artists mention difficulties in their relationships.
“The album starts off a bit basic, but in my opinion, the later songs are the best. Despite this, I still love the album overall. If you were to remove the first half and just keep the second half, it might even improve the album. My favorite song is “GREEDY,” which is the last song in the album. I love it because it has a calm vibe, a great way to end the album,” sophomore Sophia Artunduaga said.
The album “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” has been a success for the artists, with the tracks “GIMME A HUG” and “NOKIA” already topping the Billboard Hot 100. The album is also the number one album on the Billboard 200. With a wide variety of genres throughout the songs, listeners are in for an exciting experience.
