If there is one person that Duolingo’s death has affected the most, I would have to guess that it would be Drake.
When the Duolingo TikTok account notified their loyal followers of the sudden “demise” of Duo, the language-learning app’s mascot, this past week, the consequences have proved to be almost instantly tangible in Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR’s newest album, which is titled (somewhat questionably) $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, in which the former artist tries and completely fails at speaking Spanish.
The album, released on Valentine’s Day, features 21 tracks. Some showcase pure adrenaline and technique, while others—like the abhorrent 13th track, “MEET YOUR PADRE,” which showcases only some truthfully dreadful foreign language skills from the native Canadian—fall utterly and completely flat.
Unfortunately, the first song I came across happened to be “MEET YOUR PADRE,” which was being ruthlessly slandered on TikTok and kicked the album off on a disappointing note for me. I originally assumed that it was some sort of abominable AI creation; to my surprise, I was unfortunately incorrect.
This song is little more than satire. Right out of the gate, Drake serenades his audience in a horrifically fallacious accent that is followed by a similarly offensive slew of insufferable Spanish. A complete bloodbath of butchered language, Drake sycophantically croons, “I want to meet your madre, pay my respects to your padre, mi amor / Bonita, bien lo sabes, y esa forma de mirarme tus ojos,” which can be translated to “Pretty, you know it well, and that way your eyes look at me.”
As someone with virtually no experience in speaking Spanish since elementary school, I can concur that it takes no connoisseur of the language to understand that he might as well be speaking in hieroglyphics. There is a small amount of authentic Spanish from the featured artist, Mexican singer and songwriter Chino Pacas, who adlibs behind Drake’s lyrics; however, it is minuscule in comparison to Drake’s time on the track and any efforts to implement any veritable language are ultimately futile.
While perhaps a decent chorus could have salvaged the little substance that was left of this song, my hopes were further diminished when Drake appeared once more with a bland refrain of repetitive, boring lyrics. By the end of this song, PARTYNEXTDOOR’s interlude and final verse, his most significant contributions to this song, were completely overshadowed by the abhorrent lyricism and stylistic choices made prior in the track. Needless to say, I have been—and will most likely remain—confused as to why this song was even considered being added to this album.
Thankfully, the album began to improve upon further listening. Most notably, “NOKIA” showcases a kaleidoscope of colorful synth beats and—while a bit ludicrous at times—an undeniably fun beat over top of Drake’s loose, goofy rapping. “GREEDY” dives into the idea of craving a relationship but not craving the commitment that comes along with it. “GIMME A HUG,” despite the somewhat blatant title, is incandescent with the artists’ fiery songwriting, and “DEEPER,” a PARTYNEXTDOOR solo song, is a hypnotic, timeless R&B classic.
My favorite track was “DIE TRYING,” a soulful, catchy encapsulation of wistful—and somewhat regretful—summer days, even while being released in the middle of the cold, dead Michigan winter. Underlined by the sultry strum of an acoustic guitar that feels like a warm, June afternoon, this track is a return to the Drake his fans all know and love, with honest lyricism and integrity that carries a beautifully nostalgic ambiance. Here, Drake carries a more introspective weight, channeling the uncertainty of love in a position where he can never be for certain what is unfeigned, singing, “Why won’t my tears work? It’s been a decade since I’ve cried / I’ve got no dog left in the fight / The bark don’t match the bite.”
This palpable sense of balancing both the weight of change and, simultaneously, an attitude of acceptance towards such change creates resonation among listeners; not to mention, the summer-studded vibe appeals to not only rap enjoyers, but anyone looking to escape the physically, and oftentimes emotionally, dreary months of the year.
PARTYNEXTDOOR’s chorus continues the tropical feel, elevating the theme of getting pure intentions lost within material wealth over time. Singer Yebba concludes the song with her stunning soprano vocals, layering ethereal harmonies to create an ambiguous energy towards the end. Overall, the duality of this song stands out punctually; I can perfectly imagine myself blasting it on the beach or listening to it pensively in my bedroom.
All in all, would I rank this among one of Drake or PARTYNEXTDOOR’s best albums? No. But while I would not argue that this album is among those of careful craftsmanship and perfected writing, I would say that it is certainly an exploration of a different, distinct image—whatever that image may be.
