Take Care

That Take Care is an almost complete success is no small feat, especially given that it's an accomplishment of form more than of content, content having been handled assuredly on the last two Drake releases

It's one slightly embarrassing Nicki Minaj verse and one awkward Lil' Wayne feature (the "HYFR" one) away from being by far the smoothest hip-hop and/or pop listen you're likely to come across this year.

Just as his thematic concerns have become richer, so has the music backing them up.

It's what Drake does best, collapsing many moods--arrogance, sadness, tenderness and self-pity--into one vast, squish-souled emotion.

The best of it affirms that Drake is shaping a pop persona with staying power.

Drake shares [Kanye] West's love for mood and never-ending existential analysis.

What Drake needs is a few more punchlines to brighten up his monochromatic therapy sessions. Surely Canada's excellent healthcare system can underwrite that.

Former child actor Aubrey Graham's much-vaunted sensitivity and introspection is more hollow than ever on his second album.