While many listeners of Drake’s 8th and newest album, “For All The Dogs,” see it as a bit of a let down, the album brings back feelings of the “old Drake.” Channeling sounds similar to his hit 2011 album, Take Care, widely regarded as his best album, old fans find a comfortingly familiar feel.

With recent albums being more experimental, “For All The Dogs” is a reminder to fans why they listen to Drake, with his balance of slow, moody rap in combination with loud, hype-up songs. All of these attributes joined with a stacked line up of features, from J.Cole to SZA to his 10 year old son, makes the album a pleasurable and captivating listening experience.

Drake’s album follows a loose local radio vibe, with interludes at the end of songs for the fictional “BARK Radio,” introducing the next song, allowing the album to flow naturally. In terms of songs, per usual, the album comes with a few viral hits, such as Rich Baby Daddy and IDGAF, which have blown up on TikTok, yet the album contains much more. Opening with Virginia Beach, the song uses a unique sample of Frank Ocean in the background to draw listeners in. This is followed by Amen and Calling for You, with electric features from artists Teezo Touchdown and 21 Savage. The tracklist stays hot throughout the album, switching seamlessly between singing and rapping, and fast, slow, and melodic paces. 

However, many fans were expecting a lot more with the amount of hype generated by a character like Drake. At moments it feels messy and uninspired, not bringing much to the repertoire of Drake, using similar beats and flows as in his past. Nevertheless, the traditional vibe of the album satisfies many listeners longing for Drake’s original music, making this album the right return. 

The final tracks of “For All the Dogs” fall a bit flat with their repetitiveness, especially when compared to the first 10 songs feeling strong and complete. Still, the album manages to connect with its radio theme, using hosts at the end of songs, including hip hop greats Snoop Dogg and Sade.

The album earns a 7.5/10, not the best rap album of the year, topped by Travis Scott’s “UTOPIA.” Nor is it the best of Drake’s extensive career, but it is definitely a fun album to top off the year with its familiar flow.