By Xa’riyah Mitchell ’25
This Valentine’s Day, Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR surprised fans with the release of the album “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U,” a 21-track album that blends different genres, samples, and emotions. The album is the perfect vibe for a late-night drive, from seductive slow songs to upbeat tracks. Featuring artists like Yebba, Chino Pacas, and Pim, each song brings a unique vibe and sound.
Starting strong, “CN Towers” offers a moody and atmospheric vibe perfect for late-night reflection. The title “CN Towers” refers to the iconic CN Towers in Toronto, tying back to the shared roots of Drake and PND, grounding the track in their hometown Toronto, Canada. The lyrics explore the painful distance between two people, exploring longing, confusion and regret. With lines like, “I don’t have your contact anymore/You blocked me, I lost you, it’s a back and forth” captures the emotional tug and war of desire and rejection. The line “Think I even hit your email as a last resort” adds on to the feeling of desperation, highlighting the vulnerability from the point of views of both Drake and PND.
What stood out to me the most from this song is Drake and PND reference the CN Towers being both a literal and symbolic reference, by using the towers to describe the shifting emotions in the relationship. Lines like “What colors the CN tower? It’s red tonight like that text I sent from my bed tonight. Read it cause I finally think I said things right,” tie the color into the raw and intense emotions Drake is feeling at this moment. Interestingly enough, The Towers are scheduled to turn red on Valentine’s Day, so this suggests that he sent that text on that very same day just like how the album was released. As the song progresses, the colors begin to change, mirroring the emotional up-and-down feelings of the artists. “What color is the CN Towers? It’s blue now like how I’m feeling bout you now, I was too down tell me what to do now.” This marks a shift of sadness; these lines represent the sorrow and regret that follows the theme of emotional turbulence in a relationship. The color transitions not only represent the internal shifts but also create a visual representation of the highs and lows of the relationship. What makes this song even more captivating is the fact it’s a sample of the song “Lollipop” by Lil’ Wayne, giving the original upbeat song a slow, emotional twist that compliments the mood of “CN Towers.”
Moving on to “Mothballs,” this song starts off with Drake talking about his emotions of nostalgia, regret, loneliness, inner conflict mixed with feelings of ambition and pressure. Mothballs often symbolize something old or preserved for a long time. He starts off the song with the lyrics “mothballs I can’t get the smell off my clothes” Drake is implying that on his clothes there is a lingering smell and he is using the smell of mothballs as a metaphor for the lingering past. Something he can’t seem to shake off, like a past relationship or fling, clings onto him and despite his efforts to move on the perfume or a smell of a girl is still lingering on his clothes. This sets the tone for the song representing emotional baggage Drake cannot shake off.
In the song, Drake expresses vulnerability and regret, reflecting on his internal struggle of leaving someone important to him while still feeling emotionally tied to the past. His lyrics about moving on but still longing for the past show a conflict between emotional reflection and the difficulty of letting go. The line “I need a girl that’s on the cover of Vogue” reveals his desire for validation through a partner who fits his celebrity lifestyle. A brief interlude of a woman’s voice adds emotional depth, heightening the song’s raw vulnerability before the beat switches. As the song transitions into an R&B vibe, PND brings a smooth, seductive energy that contrasts with Drake’s reflective tone. His lyrics about a captivating woman draw listeners into an alluring, almost addictive atmosphere. The playful line “she from Michigan but she taste like water” is a clever reference to the Flint water crisis, using vivid imagery to evoke a sense of purity and intrigue.What stands out is how both artists maintain their signature styles while complementing each other. The song captures the tension between emotional vulnerability and the temptation to escape pain, reflecting how some people heal by introspection, while others seek distractions or new experiences. This balance of reflection and desire adds depth to the track’s theme.
This album offers a range of sounds, from slow sentimental R&B tracks like “CN Towers,” “Mothballs,” “Raining in Houston,” “Crying in Channel,” “Pimmies Dilemma” and “When he’s Gone” to upbeat turn-up songs like “Nokia,” “Brian Steel” and “Gimme a Hug,” to songs that are shocking to hear from both artists like die trying from more sensual sexy energy songs like “Deeper,” “Somebody Loves Me,” “Celibacy,” and “OMW.” The versatility in this album is truly impressive, showcasing both artist’s ability to experiment across various genres.
A notable weakness that’s been talked about is the fact that Drake dominates the majority of the album. While PND does have his moments to shine on solo tracks like ‘Deeper,” it still feels like this is more a Drake album with party acting as a feature on some songs. This problem makes it feel imbalanced, which isn’t the best on a shared album. But with that being said, the album is still a great listen overall. You can tell both artists put in a lot of effort and their chemistry works well through the album. Overall I’d give this album 8.5/10.
The Raider Press 