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Special Event: atrlcritic | Ed Sheeran's new songs after the upgrade
Member Since: 3/15/2013
Posts: 3,048
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★★★★☆
4 stars out of 5 | Drake: "0 to 100 / The Catch Up"
Views From the 6
Although personal preference yearns for the softer, more vulnerable R&B-oriented Drake (see: "Take Care", "Hold On, We're Going Home"), "0 to 100", the promo-single-or-lead-single (who knows with Drake?) of his fourth release, Views From the 6, almost flawlessly carries on the confidence and bravado found in latest single "Worst Behavior" to serve as a bridge between the two eras. Drake's found a formula of success and ran with it: opening the era with a track of full-fledged pride and swagger, as this time he repeatedly brags his clique "go 0 to 100 real quick". Drake's no stranger to NBA references, and they prove to be the lyrical highlight of the track, this time relating his success to that of Stephen Curry's in an exciting double entendre about Indian food, as well as shouting out his hometown team the Raptors as to remind us just how big a force he is in the current rap scene. In an interesting change-of-pace, the track reverts back from 100 to 0 and leads into "The Catch Up", a mid-tempo that features a single verse. Drake quickly raises excitement for his upcoming release, ending the song with a mission statement, "watch me catch up now", and it's evident that Drake will not settle for anything less than the top spot of the rap game. |
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 15,244
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Avril Lavigne next please
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Member Since: 8/31/2013
Posts: 12,948
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The cool and well-written reviews 
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Member Since: 8/17/2013
Posts: 20,654
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Drake - 0 to 100
Sadly the first half of the song does nothing for me. In my opinion it sounds like a dull Future record with typical and cliche packed lyrics.
Even though I have to admit the instrumental bops a bit.
Meanwhile the 2nd half of the song completely slays and creates that type of atmosphere Drake songs usually have.
Overall I'm in some type of dilemma and would've liked to review both song separately.
Score:
6 /10
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Reviews:
Sia - 1000 Forms Of Fear
Drake - 0 to 100
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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The Lowdown: Drake's new single is chill and confident but uninspired and unmemorable.
0 to 100 / The Catch Up is a bit of a confusing rap song. Even by Started From The Bottom standards, the beat is minimalistic. Unfortunately, a lot of the time Drake's rapping seems too intense for such a basic beat. During some parts of the 1st verse he's just yelling, and it was awkward to the point where I was actively trying to figure out what he was saying. The song sounds like a freestyle or a few verses Drake wrote for Nothing Was The Same but trashed, really going nowhere without a hint of a hook or bridge. Much like with Kendrick Lamar's M.A.A.D. City and Lil Wayne's Believe Me, around two and a half minutes into the song the beat suddenly changes. Is this a new trend? I hope not. In this case it completely removes any semblance of flow from the song. However, after the beat change the song becomes more mellow and more chill, and I liked this. Overall, however, this is a disappointing effort from Drizzy.
Reviews:
Drake - 0 to 100 / The Catch Up (4.0)
La Roux - Trouble In Paradise (2.3)
Azealia Banks - Heavy Metal and Reflective (2.0)
Jessie J, Ariana Grande, & Nicki Minaj - Bang Bang (5.8)
Hilary Duff - Chasing The Sun (0.5)
Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga - Anything Goes (4.9)
Nicki Minaj - Anaconda (2.0)
Beyoncé f/Nicki Minaj - ***Flawless Remix (3.7)
Pixie Lott - Pixie Lott (6.0)
FKA Twigs - LP1 (1.7)
Hilary Duff - All About You (4.1)
Taylor Swift - Shake It Off (7.1)
Charli XCX - Break The Rules (4.6)
Ariana Grande - My Everything (5.2)
Maroon 5 - V (5.4)
Banks - Goddess (8.2)
Calvin Harris f/John Newman - Blame (8.6)
Lorde - Yellow Flicker Beat (8.8)
Fergie - L.A.LOVE (la la) (2.5)
LIGHTS - Little Machines (6.7)
One Direction - Steal My Girl (2.0)
Carrie Underwood - Something In The Water (5.3)
Gwen Stefani - Baby Don't Lie (5.4)
Iggy Azalea f/MØ - Beg For It (7.7)
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Member Since: 3/8/2012
Posts: 39,015
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Quote:
Originally posted by Vespertine
noooo I missed the chance to give Sia her rightful lashings  |
Good think you forgot  Anyways I may do a review for this
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 3,320
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Drake
0 To 100 / The Catch Up
7.6/10
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The thing I've always loved about Drake is that he always lets his emotions flow through his music, and the emotion definitely shows in this track.
Despite the fact that the lyrics reek of B-list Future meets YG cliches, Drake's conviction in his vocals elevates the track back into yay-it's-new-good-Drake-music level, if only there wasn't one pressing issue: the beat is just so minimalistic it sounds like a preset on some cheap music maker software, which doesn't match his loud, up in your face rap style. While it's better than just a straight freestyle, it definitely leaves some to desire from an artistic standpoint. Following that, 'The Catch Up' mixes in with this disorientingly bizarre shift into another ambient instrumental; different, but yet the same, where Drake moves into this 'Started From The Bottom'-esque freestyle session, but the difference here is that this is much superior to the boring 'SFTB'. Overall, this track might not be the best thing Drake's ever created, but it's an incredibly solid effort which deserves your attention.
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Other Reviews:
Sia - '100 Forms Of Fear' [8.5]
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Member Since: 12/4/2010
Posts: 37,894
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Quote:
Originally posted by August
"0 to 100" accurately describes the transition of quality from 100 Forms of Fear to this. Let me get a review up.
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Member Since: 2/6/2012
Posts: 29,767
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Damn. Was hoping it would be Jesse.
Maybe I will do a review next week...
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Member Since: 2/2/2014
Posts: 2,522
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August Alsina ft. Nicki Minaj - No Love releases tomorrow.
We should rate that next.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 2,810
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 9/2/2011
Posts: 21,728
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| Drake - "0 to 100 / The Catch Up" | 7 / 10 |
On the single “0 To 100 / The Catch Up” there are two vastly different parts. For the first half we see the aggressive Drake, firmly reminding us of his position in today’s hip hop world through essentially redundant lyrics that we’ve probably heard a couple times before. Rather it’s the second half, a more mid-tempo leaning PBR&B production that basically makes the song and offers genuine intrigue. Its moments like these – where the production offers a more ambient feel – that Drake appears to shine. This is the kind of production that best compliments Drake's aesthetic and pretty much feels like it was made for him. When he raps with emotion you feel as though there is a greater connection and a greater truth to what he’s talking about. The aggressive take he uses for the first half is essentially faceless – it could be done by anyone – but the second half really establishes an identity. Ultimately it’s a battle between the two Drakes, and I’ve definitely picked my favourite.
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Member Since: 12/4/2010
Posts: 37,894
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Drake - "0 to 100 / The Catch Up" The first single from Drake's upcoming album 'Views From The 6' doesn't quite bring anything drastically new to the table. Minimalistic but effective beats, a loud but monotone flow, and a large dose of braggadocio are nothing new for the Canadian rapper. Drake has found his formula and it works for him. However, while the single may not be anything new in those regards, "0 to 100 / The Catch Up" presents a Drake who has committed to improving and perfecting his craft.
While the first half of this song, "0 to 100", is strong yet typical, Drake really impresses when the track suddenly veers into part two, "The Catch Up." Over a stripped down beat following the latest trends in R&B, Drake spits about his career and his aspirations. It's introspective and thoughtful, and makes it undeniably clear that we are listening to Drake at his finest. He ends the verse explicitly telling us what the rest of the song had already implied: "I'm only 27 and I'm only gettin' better // If I haven't passed you yet, watch me catch up now, forreal."
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Member Since: 8/6/2012
Posts: 5,333
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Drake - '100 to 100/ The Catch Up'
Drake’s 'tough guy' persona just comes across as simply inauthentic, which makes his braggadocio and forceful raps in '0 to 100' hard to listen to. My whole enjoyment of Hip-hop and most music in general comes from it’s believability. That’s why Drake’s softer work actually is more enjoyable, despite that type of music not being what I generally lean towards. I tend to prefer the harder, more cut throat lyricism from rappers, but not Aubrey. The “ ” smiley actually sums up my listening experience to a tee. Despite this, It's hard to ignore Drake's talent as a rapper, regardless of the rhymes legitimacy. Unfortunately as a whole, this song just doesn't display originality and sounds like a regurgitated version of a past Drake song. *Doc's format
Reviews:
Drake - '0 to 100/ The Catch Up' (Grade: D+ | 4.2/10)
Sia - '1000 Forms of Fear' (Grade: D-)
 Sia - 1000 Forms of Fear
La Roux - 'Trouble in Paradise' (Grade: C- | 4.2/10)
La Roux - Trouble in Paradise
La Roux - 'Trouble in Paradise' "Trouble in Paradise" is reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, It’s a little bit out there, somewhat confusing and yet has elements of greatness. The difference is, unlike Alice, the album never finds it’s way home or out of it's dream. It feels lost and ungratifying which leaves you wanting more. Not because the album was stellar and impactful, but because you were left feeling as though there wasn’t enough there in the first place. After the 9 tracks have ended, you aren’t left feeling like the album had any closure or a definitive end, it just went out like a light. All this aside, Trouble in Paradise truly offers nothing quite as striking and memorable as “Bulletproof”, and does not really offer the same cohesive, head-on feel of the debut.
The standout of this album indeed comes in the form of Elly Jackson, her unique vocals and ability to sing with the music and not on top of it it shines greatly. The most intriguing aspect of Trouble in Paradise is how the lyric is often juxtaposed to the beat and melody, in most cases this would be completely off putting and a negative, but La Roux manages to pull it off with ease, which is no mean feat.
The production isn’t stellar, from my understanding one part of La Roux, the producer, left in the process of recording this record. This does explain to an extent with some of the production feels predictable and rushed, like the songs have an end goal and destination but they never quite make it there. This wasn’t a problem on their debut, every song had a purpose and it completely felt as though each track were on their intended path.
It’s a good album but it lacks the cutting edge, sharp style of the self titled debut. The vocals are great and most of the songs are catchy and easy on the ear, without watering down the content as many artist’s that produce heavily synth infused music do. If you can look past some of the small, but defining faults within this album then I can somewhat assure that you’ll enjoy this record, unfortunately to a certain degree, I cannot. *Doc's format
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Member Since: 8/6/2012
Posts: 5,333
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Quote:
Originally posted by AustinMahone
August Alsina ft. Nicki Minaj - No Love releases tomorrow.
We should rate that next.
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Member Since: 2/2/2014
Posts: 1,330
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Quote:
Originally posted by iHype.
How tf did it get 37 positive reviews  |
Because those people liked it. 
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Member Since: 2/2/2014
Posts: 1,330
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I think I might start reviewing, it seems fun.
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Member Since: 11/18/2011
Posts: 5,396
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Drake - 0 to 100/The Catch Up
Release Date: July 15, 2014
"I go 0 to 100, *****, real quick, real quick, whole squad on that real ****."
Just a fun fact before I start, my best friend is OBSESSED with Drake. He's the definition of a Drake stan it's funny. My first impression on the 0 to 100 section of the song is that it's lyrically just another Started From the Bottom. I mean, having swag + money + success is always common among rappers, but it really really feels like a literal Started From the Bottom 2.0, but worse. And more annoying. The production on it is pretty mellow and nice though. It isn't exciting or really adventurous, but it's not offensive.
The Catch Up is kinda the opposite. The production is way too simple, but lyrics aren't too bad. He still throws in "I'm yung + already awesome" swag in this part which, again, is kinda annoying, but right after it leads into a pretty cool ambient section where the production fits whoever that is mumbling on the song. Okay, I looked it up and it's James Blake. Yeah that part's pretty cool.
In summation, the track as a whole isn't awful. It's just too boring, too typical Drake, and there's too many little flaws in different sections of the song for me to really enjoy it or for me to get excited about Drake. Oh well.
6.3/10
★★★★★★✩✩✩✩
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Member Since: 2/5/2014
Posts: 29,111
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Drake – 0 to 100 / The Catch Up
“0 to 100 / The Catch Up” is Drake’s newest contribution to his collection of solid non-album tracks that he seems to release whenever the conversation in rap shifts away from him. Drake threw “0 to 100” online for download during Hot 97’s summer jam, where he did not perform a set of his own, to catch some headlines from the other musicians.
“0 to 100 / The Catch Up” is split into two distinct halves, similar to recent extended tracks by Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé. “0 to 100” is a typical Drake brag track that sounds like a less wintry “Started From the Bottom” and covers the same ground as that track until “0 to 100” slows down and Drake rhymes about his dad not showing up during his childhood which helped him become the driven person he is today. 0 to 100” segues into the more contemplative “The Catch Up.” Over a dreamy contemplative beat he does some introspection and questions his status at the top, he names off his upcoming label projects and sets his sights on the future, realizing to catch up to the greats he needs to stay aware of himself and keep changing.
‘0 to 100 / The Catch Up is a solid track, but does not reach the “how was this not an official single?!” status of "Girls Love Beyoncé", "Trophies", or "Days in the East." However, the track does serve its purpose reminding us Drake still exists and lets us know he has an album coming up that is going to be very good. ”0 to 100 / The Catch Up” is a solid addition to his one-off non-album releases; but is just that, solid, the 100 level track is still to come. 
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 27,248
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