This is a great album. The thing that strikes you most about Take Care is the confidence and the fresh style that compliments Drake's flow, where before he sounded awkward and ropey. This sounds modern and REALLY cool.
It's not throwaway either. It's full of catchy, clever lyrics from the get-go. Then there're monologues, from Drake himself and distant disembodied voices, which wouldn't be out of place on one of the Manics' bleaker records, but sonically giving the album a feel closer to something by Burial or Jamie XX.
The obligatory guests are in place. Nicki Minaj fails to shine but her presence is always welcome; the weight of her entrances is still at least slightly thrilling. These days Lil' Wayne is a lot better guesting than he is on his own records, and HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right), one of the album's high points, is no exception. Weezy drawls
"confusing me with questions like do you love this shit? are you high right now? do you ever get nervous? and are you single? "
Reminds us of when he was great.
On Crew Love, The Weeknd fares a lot better than he did on his debut album this year, thanks to much better lyrics ("Take your nose off my keyboard, what you bothering me for? there's a room full of niggers, what you following me for?")
This time last year we had Kanye's masterpiece and it's hard not to draw comparisons. This doesn't come close, but it's a great album.