Drake’s surprise release of “Scary Hours 3” has been a notable event in the music industry, catching fans and critics alike off guard. This EP, officially titled “For All The Dogs: Scary Hours Edition,” arrived just over five weeks after Drake’s eighth studio album. It was a complete surprise, with no prior hint of its existence until a mere hours before its release. This abrupt launch was unexpected, especially since Drake had recently expressed a desire to take a break from music due to health concerns, making the release even more astonishing.
“Scary Hours 3” comprises six tracks, each showcasing different aspects of Drake’s artistry. The opening track, “Red Button,” features a drum-sparse and ethereal beat with Drake’s sharp lyricism. Another track, “Stories About My Brother,” produced by Conductor Williams, revisits the early ’90s atmosphere with a jazzy, analog drum-laden instrumental, where Drake’s vocals are braggadocious and reference-heavy.
One of the EP’s highlights is “Wick Man,” marking Drake’s first official collaboration with The Alchemist. This track is noted for its lyrical depth and luxurious production. “Evil Ways” is another significant collaboration, featuring J. Cole, and is characterized by its boom bap standards and engaging back-and-forth lyrical exchange between the two artists.
The third track, “The Shoe Fits,” is conceptually focused, with Drake targeting hypothetical partners and proverbial haters, while “You Broke My Heart” closes the EP with anthemic trap production and melodic elements.
Critically, “Scary Hours 3” represents a departure from the more bitter and dark tones of Drake’s recent works. It shows him in a more introspective mode, reflecting on personal experiences and relationships. The EP is seen as a more balanced project, where Drake not only addresses grievances but also acknowledges important figures in his life, moving away from the exclusively negative focus seen in his previous album, “For All the Dogs.”
Overall, “Scary Hours 3” stands out for its quick creation (written in just five days), its blend of introspection and bravado, and its return to some of the sonic elements that Drake’s fans have long appreciated. It’s a project that, despite its brevity, offers a considerable insight into Drake’s current state of mind and artistic direction
