We listened to album Wasteland by Brent Faiyaz and reviewed each song on the following criteria:

Melody: Is the composition unique? Is it repetitive? Any distinct instruments?

Lyrics: How do we feel about the message it’s sending? Are there strong bars? If it’s collaborative does it enhance the song? 

Line up: Does the line up make sense? Does it compliment the previous messages emphasized in the tracks before it?

SONG:

“Over my dead body” 

• Melody: 5 stars/ Strong ballad instrumental and beautiful female vocal ad libs 
• Lyrics: 4 stars/ Strong metaphors, but got a bit repetitive after three minutes
• Line up: 5 stars/ It prefaces with his successful career the year before and people questioning if he still has the same potential. 

“Shot for me”

• Melody: 3/5 Unmemorable 
• Lyrics: 5 stars/ Definitely brings in the true meaning of this album, worm and drakes come up as an artist. He dabbles in a bit of pride and narcissism as he reflects on how he came to this point in his musical career. 
• Line up: 5/ Perfect follow up after over my dead body (re-establishes theme)

“Headlines” 

•  Melody: 5 stars/ Compliments the message of the song as the drums and the mixed symphony coincides with the struggle to achieve success, but also the celebration of him being successful.
• Lyrics: 5 stars/ He talks about partying and not caring about what people have to say about him because he is at the peak of his career. 
• Line up: 4.5 stars/ I do not have any complaints about it, but it does not stand out.

“Crew love” 

• Melody: 5/5 It compliments the vocals of both The Weekend and Drake
• Lyrics: 3.5/ Beautiful voice from The Weekend feature, talks about groupies and their annoyance, small drake verse. 
• Line up: 3/5 Not too interesting, a good song but getting very repetitive, not really necessary after headlines and shot for me. 

“Take care”

•  Melody: 5 stars/ Rihanna and Drake’s contradicting voices ride the piano background and maraca perfectly. Even without the lyrics, the instrumental stands out because it is so unique. 
• Lyrics: 5 stars/ The duet gives emphasis on both sides of relationship where two previously hurt people are trying to find a way to love each other in a healthy manner.
• Line up: 3 stars: I wish it was placed farther down in the tracklist.

“Marvin’s room”

• Melody: 5 stars/ Slow, sultry melody is soothing.
• Lyrics: 5 stars/ Here Drake loses his big ego and ends up calling a girl he was previously attached to. This girl is in a happy relationship now, moved on from Drake, but he cannot seem to move on despite the fame he now has. This is more of his reflection piece. 
• Line up: 5 stars/ Perfect shift in tone, loses the repetitive qualities and shows us more into the real Drake.

“Buried alive interlude”

• Melody: 5 stars: There is a strong theatrical underlining which compliments the hip hop mix it overlaps with.
• Lyrics: 3 stars/ Kendrick’s bars were strong, but it did not resonate with me the way previous lyrics did.
• Line up: 5 stars/ It’s placed perfectly, because of this message it prefaces for the upcoming tracks.

 “Under ground kings” 

• Melody: 3 stars/ It’s upbeat, but there’s nothing special about it.
• Lyrics: 5 stars/ This song is not heavily talked about on his album, but it definitely deserves its followers. Here he is reflecting on life back in his hometown in Toronto and how even though he loves the city life, he still tries to find home in these places.   
• Line up: 5 stars/ Keeps the same flow without feeling repetitive. 

We’ll be fine 

• Melody: 5 stars/ A favorite of mine off the album. From the very beginning the listener is hype.
• Lyrics: 4 stars/ These are not his best, but it does talk about how he is letting go of his previous hurt to be better. The verses hold more weight than the chorus. Birdman’s lyrics felt a bit lackluster and did not really enhance the song.
• Line up: 4 stars/ Does not stand out but makes sense to be placed after “Underground Kings.”

“Lord knows”

• Melody: 3 stars/ Melody feels repetitive. We have heard similar in other songs on the album.
• Lyrics: 4.5 stars/ Lyrics were insightful on both ends, but Rick Ross held more meaningful verses on this track.
• Line up: 5 stars/ Drake’s placement of this song prepares the audience for his message of his destined success discussed in later tracks.

“Doing it wrong”

• • Melody: 5 stars/ Jazzy in the best way.
  • Lyrics: 5 stars/ The struggle of growing within a relationship of any kind, while staying authentic to yourself is a theme precisely shown in the lyrics which I can greatly appreciate.
  • Line up: 3 stars/ I wish the more romantic songs were shifted together. The placement of this song emphasizes the idea that there are two sides of this album you can perceive this from; a romantic relationship angle or a journey to success angle.

“Look what you’ve done”

• • Melody: 4.5 stars/ Piano adds to the meaningful ballad and also shows the musicality displayed throughout the album. 
  • Lyrics: 5 stars/  Lyrics are poetic and sensory loaded. The lyrics flow easily over the melody and the chorus and bridge are catchy. The ending monologue/voicemail also adds to its emotional depth.
  • Line up: 5 stars/ After “The Real Her,” this song compliments the former’s message.

“Practice” 

• • Melody: 6 stars/ Does not stand out, feels a bit lazy however, it is tolerable because the lyrics overshine the terrible mix.
  • Lyrics: 3 stars/ The lyrics are catchy and resonate with the listener easily, however, you can tell this is more of a radio hit because of the repetition it displays in its composition.
  • Line up: 3 stars/ Did not feel planned.

“The motto” 

• • Melody: 5 stars/ The melody is exciting and a great way to bring an ending to the album. It also compliments the message Drake is trying to end his album with.
  • Lyrics: 5 stars/ The lyrics are catchy, the symbolism is comedic, and the metaphors from both rappers (Wayne, and Drake) are sharp and witty.
  • Line up: 5 stars/ This song being placed lower in the track list is effective.