Drake’s latest album, “For All The Dogs,” has been the center of much discussion since its release, amassing a mix of anticipation and critical scrutiny. The album, which debuted on October 6th, has been met with a variety of opinions, marking it as Drake’s lowest-rated project on Metacritic with a score of 52 based on 10 reviews. This score places it at the bottom of his discography, which includes highly rated works such as the 2009 mixtape “So Far Gone” with a score of 81. Despite the critical reception, “For All The Dogs” is expected to perform well commercially, with projections suggesting an opening week of 400–450K units. This would rank it among the top album openings of the year, trailing behind releases from Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen, and Travis Scott.
Here’s a consolidated list of Drake’s albums ranked by their Metacritic scores, from highest to lowest:
So Far Gone – 81
Take Care – 78
Nothing Was the Same – 79
If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late – 78
More Life – 79
Thank Me Later – 75
Honestly, Nevermind – 73
What A Time To Be Alive – 70
Views From The 6 – 69
Scorpion – 67
Her Loss (with 21 Savage) – 62
Dark Lane Demo Tapes – 61
Certified Lover Boy – 60
For All the Dogs – 52
The album, featuring 23 tracks with contributions from artists like J. Cole, SZA, Bad Bunny, 21 Savage, and others, showcases Drake’s continued influence and versatility in the music industry. It was released after a slight delay from its initial date, and Drake celebrated its arrival with performances in Toronto, where he was joined by J. Cole and 21 Savage, adding a special touch to the album’s launch.
The discourse surrounding “For All The Dogs” has extended beyond its musical content, with notable criticism coming from Joe Budden. On his podcast, Budden criticized Drake for not maturing in his music, comparing him unfavorably to J. Cole, who he feels has evolved in his lyrical themes. Drake responded to Budden’s criticisms with a pointed rebuttal on social media, defending his artistic choices and highlighting his own success in contrast to Budden’s career trajectory.
This back-and-forth between Drake and Budden underscores a broader conversation about artist evolution, audience expectations, and the balance between commercial success and critical acclaim. As “For All The Dogs” navigates its place within Drake’s discography and the larger music landscape, it serves as a testament to the complexities of staying relevant and authentic in an ever-changing industry.
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