On June 17, 2022, Drake released his seventh studio album, Honestly, Nevermind. The previous day consisted of me getting my driver’s license and watching the Golden State Warriors defeat the Boston Celtics to win the NBA Finals. Before the Finals match, it was announced that Drake would be releasing a new album. It had no teasers, no leaks, and all we had was the album cover. I was excited when the news came out, and the album was said to be released at midnight.

Midnight came, and I began listening to the album. However, I was shocked by the fact that the album wasn’t a rap album; it was a dance hall album, which is basically music meant to be played in the club for people to dance to. While I did not hate the album, I was disappointed. But why was I so disappointed? In 2021, 

Drake released his sixth studio album, Certified Lover Boy, and it underwhelmed me. C.L.B. consisted of songs that were either decent or just plain bad. While it had some hidden gems, the album let me down. And so, I was ecstatic for Honestly, Nevermind, due to the letdown that was Certified Lover Boy. Although C.L.B. consisted of more rap elements and Drake dropped some nice bars, Honestly, Nevermind had Drake singing behind some not-so-great production. To sum up the album in one word: boring.

Almost every song seems like the music you’d hear at the mall while getting your nails done or shopping for a new purse, two songs are just rap: “Sticky” and “Jimmy Cooks ft. 21 Savage.” I love Drake, don’t get me wrong, but I have to admit when he releases something not good. And so, Honestly, Nevermind disappointed me due to it consisting of boring dance hall music instead of hard songs that get the party going.