Drake Scorpion [Explicit Content] (Gatefold LP Jacket) (2 Lp's)

Drake's fifth album Scorpion is a double-length broken into two sides; rap and R&B. On over 25 tracks, he delves deep into familiar subjects including exes, his rap skills, and feeling bummed while broaching new areas like becoming a father and responding to Pusha T's epic diss track. Using spare melodies and slow trap beats, the rapper and his production team create a suffocating, introspective sound that allows him plenty of opportunity to explore and expunge his feelings and lay them out in typically melancholy fashion. Jay-Z, Ty Dolla $ign, and BOYSNEXTDOOR all have features, there's a ghostly Michael Jackson sample lurking on the second record, and the bouncy R&B track "Nice for What" gives the set a momentary pop feel. Mostly though, Scorpion is a dark and introspective work that fits well with his two previous releases. ~ Tim Sendra