Drake's Scorpion album review: Live first impressions, track-by-track

Will he address his rumoured secret son? The recent Pusha T beef?

Drake releases new album Scorpion

Drake has released his fifth studio album, Scorpion a two-disc, 25-track release that clocks in at a daunting 90 minutes.

It comes with a pretty hilarious cover, which has a throwback feel and consists of a signed picture of Drake in monochrome.

Scorpion is low on featuring credits, with Jay Z, Ty Dolla $ign and Static Major appearing on tracks alongside the posthumous vocals of Michael Jackson. Producers who worked on the album include long-serving Drake collaborators Noah "40" Shebib and Boi-1da.

It comes with an editor's note, which appears to attempt to pre-empt the usual criticisms that dog the rapper:

I HATE WHEN DRAKE RAPS

DRAKE SINGS TOO MUCH

DRAKE IS A POP ARTIST

DRAKE DOESN’T EVEN WRITE HIS OWN SONGS

DRAKE TOOK AN L

DRAKE DIDN’T START FROM THE BOTTOM

DRAKE IS FINISHED

I LIKE DRAKE'S OLDER STUFF

DRAKE MAKES MUSIC FOR GIRLS

DRAKE THINKS HE’S JAMAICAN

DRAKE IS AN ACTOR

DRAKE CHANGED

ANYBODY ELSE > DRAKE …

YEAH YEAH WE KNOW

Here follows some first impressions of the album track-by-track as we spin it for the first time. Settle in its going to be a long ride (please allow a moment for the live blog to load).

Scorpion is streaming now on Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal.

[29 June 2018 15:03 · Andrew Buncombe]

17. Finesse

And we're back to Drake moping around, singing about a girl who has run away with another man. "Finesse" would fit perfectly onto Take Care: the beat's slow again, built around a piano chord.

The standout moment comes with the chorus and Drake's delivery of the word "finesse", with some great inflection on the word. Unfortunately, the lyrics are bog-standard (mentions of fashion week and emotions running high) while the last moments of reversing sounds are unremarkable. Another track that could have been shortened, sweetened, or left on the cutting floor. 

[29 June 2018 15:14 · Andrew Buncombe]

18. Ratchet Happy Birthday

A repeated piano sample acts as the centre to this track, which sees Drake aggressively tell someone to enjoy their birthday. Drake has been forced to let this woman enjoy her Birthday month with everyone - but our heartbroken Canadian wants her to himself.

I miss the days that you was all mine Haven't been official in a long time

After a fair amount of time, the smooth drums enter, followed by Drake making a machine-gun noise ("Brrrrrrr"). It's a fun, inconsequential track that's completely fine. The piano sample makes for good listening, but I can't help feeling that the song could have gone somewhere more entertaining. 

[29 June 2018 15:25 · Andrew Buncombe]

19. That's How I Feel

Before the track even starts, you already know how this one's going to go from the title. And "That's How I Feel" has a classic Drake feel without overstaying its welcome (the shortest track on the B side of Scorpion). From beginning to end, the instrumental doesn't really change.

We're instead left with Drake's flow offering any changes that happen in the song, plus a sample of Nicki Minaj from a live show dating back to 2014. And the flow of Drake's rap is completely fine, but once again focuses on an already tried-and-tested Drake subject: a seemingly shallow woman who posts lots on Instagram. 

Vacay to a place where you could Take pictures, post on Insta' Your friends say they miss ya But they don't really miss ya

Side B of Scorpion desperately needs some more inspired tracks. But we're gradually getting there... right? 

[29 June 2018 15:34 · Andrew Buncombe]

20. Blue Tint

Boastful, bravado Drake has the much better track on Scorpion. Alongside all the talk of a woman being "on ice" there's also some digs at the president and talk of "What a time this is / To be alive for this shit". 

The track's upbeat, fun, and features Future. "Blue Tint" also comes in under three minutes, and all the better for it. A small banger that doesn't quite cut as a single, but makes for a fun listen. Something Scorpion desperately needs right now. More please.

[29 June 2018 15:42 · Andrew Buncombe]

21. In My Feelings

We're reaching the good stuff. Another fun track from Drake, featuring some great production, particularly on the break-downs, which feature various artists including Lil Wayne, City Girls, and Magnolia Shorty. 

The beat features some great great drums, which lead the track and make this is a smooth bop. The lyrics may walk well-trodden ground, but there's bounce to the whole thing that was sorely missing from some earlier tracks.

There's also a great sample from the second season of Atlanta - from an episode that focussed on Zazie Beatz's character going to what was apparently a Drake party - which can only help boost the great show's profile. Recommended watching.

[29 June 2018 15:55 · Andrew Buncombe]

22. Don't Matter To Me

Here we are: the Michael Jackson track, featuring previously unused vocals from the King of Pop. That's one huge flex from Drake, who has basically got longtime producer Noah '40' Shebib and "Hotline Bling" collaborator Nineteen85 to create a killer Weeknd-esque beat to put underneath the sample.

Drake concerns himself with a former lover who drinks too much to get over him. The beauty comes from MJ, whose vocals may have been given tremendous amounts of reverb but sit perfectly on the song. "Don't Matter To Me," with its moody groove, would be the obvious choice to release as the next single.

I'm fascinated by this sample. I would love to hear the original MJ song, and can't believe - considering how much the singer's back catalogue has already been pilfered - this previously unheard track exists. 

[29 June 2018 16:02 · Andrew Buncombe]

23. After Dark

Full on drums over a slinky guitar with a flange effect turned up to the max. It's cool, and Drake's lyrics remain fixated on the unknown "you".  

Quite honestly, there's only so much of Drake's voice I can take this far into the record, and Ty Dolla $ign's verse makes for good relief. Plus, there's Static Major singing the chorus's "after dark", which sounds great, the high pitch vocals making for a perfect pop compliment to the track. Another sturdy track for the very, very long record.

[29 June 2018 16:08 · Andrew Buncombe]

24. Final Fantasy 

I always need a glass of wine by sundown

There are some cheesy lyrics (as you've likely come to expect) during the first half of "Final Fantasy". But the song flies along with a cool bass line and light harps in the background.

Rather than go into a chorus, though, the whole thing flips into a completely separate song. But not in a cool way like, say, Frank Ocean's "Nights", but literally just stops halfway through and changes song. Thematically, the two are similar, talking about a woman (of course). Drake goes from rapping to singing over a guitar line, the drums stripped back. This one feels likes a half-baked idea that could have done with either scrapping or making full. 

[29 June 2018 16:32 · Andrew Buncombe]

25. March 14

Single father, I hate when I hear it I used to challenge my parents on every album Now I'm embarrassed to tell 'em I ended up as a co-parent Always promised the family unit I wanted it to be different because I've been through it But this is the harsh truth now

And we've finally made it. Just under 90 minutes of Drake, complete. That was a lot to take in. "March 14" once again addresses claims Drake has a son, the artist fully admitting the fact and comparing himself to his own parents.

The track begins with a hard-hitting, bass-y beat, ending with a slow piano beat as Drake sings about being alone. It's a good ending to an overstuffed album that could have cut a lot of filler. 

[29 June 2018 16:35 · Andrew Buncombe]

That's that. The entirety of Drake's Scorpion, track-by-track. You can read a full review of the record written by Roisin O'Connor below. 

Some last thoughts: Scorpion has some excellent tracks, and feels like classic Drake, but there are some real lows, particularly the beginning of Side B. Rather than 25 tracks, they really should have narrowed it down to perhaps 16, all killer no filler. Less is more, after all.

From myself and Chris, that's a wrap, hope you have enjoyed listening along with us.