Features can’t save Drake from artistic laziness as ‘Dogs’ disappoints

All the dogs are howling in disappointment, but maybe that’s a natural reaction to lukewarm Canadian rap. For All the Dogs is incredibly underwhelming as the experimental beats seldom hit the mark. The album fails to bring anything fresh or innovative to the table; the 23 new songs are generic and repetitive, lacking the infectious hooks and memorable melodies that have characterized Drake’s previous works.

At least he knows how to open as “Virginia Beach”  begins with a sample by music artist Frank Ocean from an unreleased track. This sparked fan interest immediately as Ocean has not released new music in years, yet the excitement quickly fizzles after realizing it’s just a sample and the artist isn’t actually featured on the track. After teasing listeners with possibility, the song quickly turns into another empty promise. 

In total, the album had ten features: Teezo Touchdown, 21 Savage, J. Cole, Yeat, SZA, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Chief Keef, Bad Bunny, Sexyy Red, and Lil Yatchy. Each feature brought something different, but apparently Drake couldn’t be bothered to alter his style or presentation. The ongoing meme of his song “IDGAF,” featuring Yeat, mocks Drake’s addition to the song. Drake seemingly interrupts Yeat with the lyric “money for fun” and fans added it to the collection of Drake being “fruity.” It’s clear that Yeat outshines Drake and has taken over the spotlight while doing so. While the song makes its way high in the ranks, it still lacks actual meaning; the lyrics are typical: money, fame, girls. 

Drake doesn’t miss on just two features: “First Person Shooter” featuring J. Cole and “Slime You Out” featuring SZA, the only single of the album. “Shooter,” heavily carried by J. Cole, displays Drake's talent that seems to get lost in the ongoing tracks. Drake and Cole’s voices blend together well to make for a cohesive song that doesn’t seem entirely out of place. It’s also a fan favorite as it somehow stays at number one on Billboard’s Hot 100. Moreover, “Slime You Out” featuring SZA displays Drake's singing voice in the beginning with a slower beat, making the song feel new and fresh as it contrasts the song just before “7969 Santa.” SZA’s voice is light and pairs well with Drake's singing. Being the only single, it’s clear this song was meant to be good, reaching expectations by taking the number six spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 for the week of October 21. 

“Polar Opposites,” arguably one of the best songs on the album, has playlist potential along with “8am in Charlotte” and “Fear of Heights.” Each song stands out amongst the sea of tracks, offering a momentary sense of potential for the album. Finishing off the album, “Polar Opposites” comes in clutch. The song sounds like Drake, but not the boring regular Drake, more a hint of the old Drake. The lyrics combined with the melody make for a great listen. “8am in Charlotte” doesn’t bring much to the plate. The song sounds like it could be made in Garageband, yet the lyrics tell a story. The idea was there, the execution was not.  The vibe of “Fear of Heights” is akin to pregame hype music, making for an enthralling listen. The beat takes a full 180 from slow and nonchalant to upbeat and exciting, really proving the mood.

“My Man Freestyle” was dropped at the end of track five, “Daylight.” The significance being “My Man Freestyle” is a song by Adonis, Drake's child. Criticism does not shy away from the sample, even though Adonis is only six years old, fans have again made the feature into a joke. Social media is swarmed with TikToks and tweets making a mockery of his verse. Adonis took on another role in the process, an important one to say the least, as his drawing of a dog is the appropriate cover of this mediocre album. 

The album's runtime is unnecessarily long, clocking in at over an hour. With such weak and uninspiring tracks, it becomes a tedious and exhausting listening experience. It feels as though Drizzy Drake prioritized quantity over quality, resulting in a bloated album that overstays its welcome. For All the Dogs suggests a magnanimity, a document of inclusive player’s anthems, but if you make it no-skips to the end, it’s clear the only dog in Drake’s world is Drake, and he’s trying to get the Men’s Rights Conference to howl back at him.  

Rating: C+

Blurb: Drake's talent and potential are nowhere to be found, leaving fans craving the raw and authentic artist that was once known. 

by Makenna Freund

Published October 30 2023

Oshkosh West Index Volume 120 Issue II