Drake – Thank Me Later (WIMH Album Review)

Published on June 15th, 2010

Release Date: 6/15/2010

Y’all REALLY don’t need an introductory paragraph on this guy, right? Good! Since this is one of the most anticipated albums this year, let’s cut the crap and get to it, shall we?

Fireworks (Feat. Alicia Keys) – A great start to the album, as his hybrid style has allowed him to be in his own lane, and he owns it completely with this track. The production also caters to his distinct sound that defined “So Far Gone.”
Karaoke – “So if you gotta go…if there’s anything I should know, if the spotlight makes you nervous…if you’re looking for a purpose…” Very mellow…the beat has traces of 808s & Heartbreak, the vocals are soft and Sade-esque, and eventually spits a verse about a love that moves away after telling him that his lifestyle was too much.
The Resistance – “I blew myself up/I’m on some martyr shit…I avoided the coke game and got with Sprite instead…” Pretty clever lines like that are sprinkled throughout this song. He can spit, definitely, and the chorus is a winner, as he struggles with the people that he “can’t kick it with” who says that he’s changing. The beat leaves a little to be desired and is the third one of its kind. You start to hope that the majority of the album doesn’t sound like this…
Over – I was always curious to see how this single fit into the sequence of the album. Lyrically it fits into the overall story he’s telling and sonically, the Boi-1da track provides a nice change in pace.
Show Me A Good Time – Frantic screams kick of the song, then Drizzy comes in with his signature hook crooning, then slides into a double time flow for the verses. This song is fun, and not too long and not too short.
Up All Night (Feat. Nicki Minaj) – The beat makes the song too dark for the radio, but the chemistry between Drake and Nicki is undeniable. Still a great song, though.
Fancy (Feat. T.I. & Swizz Beats) – Swizz is doing a lot of sampling these days…this sounds more Kanye than Swizzy. Tip comes in and helps Drake go hard at these “Fancy” chicks…Mr. Keys checks in for the hook. Winner here…
Shut it Down (Feat. The-Dream) – It’s not easy to put him in a box, because he’s amassed an audience with both rapping AND singing. That said, the album doesn’t really have a lot of moments where it drags. This will win because of the slow grinding beat and Dream and Drizzy trading verses.
Unforgettable – I didn’t know what to expect when I heard the Aaliyah sample, but the militant drums and the way he came in with the first verse made that forgivable. Jeezy checks in and gives us a 16 that doesn’t do anything but make his fans even more excited for TM 103.
Light Up (Feat. Jay-Z) – Drake gets off here, but Jay daddy-schools him, which is expected…the beat is kind of boring, but I guess it’s better that way, because what they’re saying gets the spotlight here. Quoting a bar or two won’t do it justice. Just listen.
Miss Me (Feat. Lil Wayne) – Another song where Drake is living in the moment…in strip clubs, fantasizing about his labelmate. Wayne is standard Wayne, which these days isn’t bad…he tells his women to “write him when he’s gone.” Line of the song –“I got so many styles, I am a group.”
Cece’s Interlude – Sounds like he’s talking to the chick that moved to Atlanta in “Karaoke.” I think J.G. said it best when he tweeted that Bria’s Interlude (from So Far Gone) was better.
Find Your Love –Singles are sometimes obvious attempts at radio play and really have no place in the overall sequence of the album. This fits perfectly where it is. I wonder what Cece’s thinking when he hears all this material directed at her? This Kanye produced track is one of the best out of the tracks that are solely R&B.
Thank Me Now – Great way to close out the album. “Lately I’ve been drinking like there’s a message in a bottle…” Drizzy spits his heart out. Probably his best verses on the album.

Conclusion: While it got off to a (very) slow start, the album did pick up and it turned out to be a good, but not perfect, debut. Thank Me Later further showcases his range as an artist, shows us he knows how to put an album together, and should satisfy his fanbase. If he keeps it up and continues to grow as an artist, he’s going to have a great career and a respectable catalog.

-Reg Young

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