Dark Lane Demo Tapes [Mixtape]
by Drake
  • Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: May 1, 2020
User Score
4.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 159 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 61 out of 159
  2. Mixed: 43 out of 159
  3. Negative: 55 out of 159
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  1. All_ButTrU4
    Nov 14, 2021
    0
    Senseless bland stream grabs. There is literally no enjoyable moment on here and it's just so disappointing at this time that the most memorable song is "tootsie slide " & it's not because it's good but becus tik tok has 8ensured you nvr forget it
  2. Hendo250
    Apr 6, 2021
    7
    this album is a 7 this album is a 7 this album is a 7 this album is a 7 this album is a 7
  3. Bobtinin
    Apr 5, 2021
    8
    It's always fun to see Drake continue to experiment with new flows and sounds.
  4. camman5150
    Dec 20, 2020
    2
    Once again another album where drake puts zero effort into song writing. All the stans will say it’s low rating is because of people who love to hate but that is far from the truth
  5. vitortfv
    Dec 3, 2020
    5
    Deep Pockets - 6/10
    When to Say When - 6/10
    Chicago Freestyle (feat. Giveon) - 6/10 Not You Too (feat. Chris Brown) - 5,7/10 Toosie Slide - 6/10 Desires (feat. Future) - 6,4/10 Time Flies - 6,4/10 Landed - 5,5/10 D4L Freestyle (feat. Future & Young Thug) - 5/10 Pain 1993 (feat. Playboi Carti) - 5,7/10 Losses - 6,5/10 From Florida With Love - 5,7/10 Demons (feat. Fivio Foreign &    Deep Pockets - 6/10
    When to Say When - 6/10
    Chicago Freestyle (feat. Giveon) - 6/10
    Not You Too (feat. Chris Brown) - 5,7/10
    Toosie Slide - 6/10
    Desires (feat. Future) - 6,4/10
    Time Flies - 6,4/10
    Landed - 5,5/10
    D4L Freestyle (feat. Future & Young Thug) - 5/10
    Pain 1993 (feat. Playboi Carti) - 5,7/10
    Losses - 6,5/10
    From Florida With Love - 5,7/10
    Demons (feat. Fivio Foreign & Sosa Geek) - 6/10
    War - 5,5/10    … Expand
  6. GeorgeParris
    Nov 10, 2020
    4
    Overall a really uninspired sound and tone just really normal, but still ok.
  7. sebastianmina
    Oct 5, 2020
    7
    Solid, not great, not bad. Solid project of throwaways that he wants to hold over fans till clb
  8. Jaohrk
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    Mais do mesmo esse homem não inova o mais perto que chegou de inovar foi quando Rihanna ajudou.
  9. xDyl
    Jun 29, 2020
    4
    Drake is a cultural force, he can put out anything & make numbers. However, this mixtape feels far from Drake's normal output. Most of the songs, save for 'When To Say When' (follows Drake's current day/life, with a somewhat glamorous sample playing in the background), 'Chicago Freestyle' (an eerie synth chord, with a nice lofi hook by Giveon) & 'Landed' (quite a banger that really upliftsDrake is a cultural force, he can put out anything & make numbers. However, this mixtape feels far from Drake's normal output. Most of the songs, save for 'When To Say When' (follows Drake's current day/life, with a somewhat glamorous sample playing in the background), 'Chicago Freestyle' (an eerie synth chord, with a nice lofi hook by Giveon) & 'Landed' (quite a banger that really uplifts the core of the album, the flow is quite catchy) are not up to standard. That said, this would suit fans who hoped some of Drake's 'drifted' tracks were to be gathered in one place for accessible use. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate Drake at all, but I feel like his other work is much better as compared to this.… Expand
  10. CitizenNoob
    Jun 20, 2020
    0
    like everything that Drake does, a waste of time.
    as usual Drake proves that you need no talent whatsoever to sell albums.
  11. 21MJB24
    Jun 10, 2020
    9
    8.5

    This is the best project Drake has put out since IYRTITL in my opinion.. and they’re throwaway tracks for the most part.
  12. nitticahani
    Jun 10, 2020
    8
    This tape is a warm up project that succeeds in making songs that you can bop your head to and sing along to. It reaches the goal of warming fans up to his 6th studio album. Production is varies through each genre, but is fantastic throughout. Lyrically, Drake isn't at his peak but you can still catch some nice punchlines, like in Landed where he says "Pushin' 5 Cadillacs like aThis tape is a warm up project that succeeds in making songs that you can bop your head to and sing along to. It reaches the goal of warming fans up to his 6th studio album. Production is varies through each genre, but is fantastic throughout. Lyrically, Drake isn't at his peak but you can still catch some nice punchlines, like in Landed where he says "Pushin' 5 Cadillacs like a politician". The features on the album are shaky at times, like Playboi Carti's verse on 'Pain 1993' and Chris Brown only having a backseat role while Drake pours his heart out on 'Not You Too'. Overall, its a great project with a lot of bops throughout

    Best Tracks: When To Say When, Chicago Freestyle, Time Flies, Landed, From Florida With Love

    Worst Track: Desires    … Expand
  13. Joel_Freecheck
    May 29, 2020
    5
    It's a Drake album for sure. Nothing new has been added to his discography but that doesn't mean it's not worth a listen. "War", "Demons", and "D4L" are playlist hits that see Drake flirting with his best hitmaking skills.
  14. invertedrisk
    May 15, 2020
    4
    Nothing of substance here, bunch of throwaway tracks that all sound the same. Still Drake finds slight success in what is now heavily treaded territory for him and this sound.
  15. ztuxilef
    May 8, 2020
    0
    How is it that this guy cant come out with a single good mixtape or album its so funny to me how he just isn’t able to do it
  16. VestingBoot
    May 8, 2020
    5
    So this mix-tape is just songs and tracks that weren't gonna make his summer album. It's hard to judge this because its on release is meant to just be that, low quality songs. About 3 of the songs are quality in my eyes, those being Deep Pockets, Chicago Freestyle and Landed. The rest sound fine to average at best. I think this was smart on Drake's part release a mix-tape with a few goodSo this mix-tape is just songs and tracks that weren't gonna make his summer album. It's hard to judge this because its on release is meant to just be that, low quality songs. About 3 of the songs are quality in my eyes, those being Deep Pockets, Chicago Freestyle and Landed. The rest sound fine to average at best. I think this was smart on Drake's part release a mix-tape with a few good songs and a few bad ones (We all know what songs I mean) just so when he releases his summer album it just looks better than this. Overall this tape was meant to be lackluster and not the best, so Its just that average at best.… Expand
  17. Tshshjsujens
    May 7, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. **** is ASS. He could sing the ABCs and his fans would eat it up. It's ok to say something isnt good.… Expand
  18. LeoDPaixao
    May 7, 2020
    10
    Consistente o bastante para uma mixtape 10/10... Se fosse álbum seria 7/10.
  19. fernandochvs89
    May 7, 2020
    0
    what a piece of trash,like everything he does, I dont know how he made so much success, he is not an artist at all
  20. MusicGuyMack
    May 7, 2020
    5
    The Toronto rapper's first true turkey even as his recent output has continued to grow weaker and weaker with each subsequent release, the interestingly dour and gloomy atmosphere crafted by Drake on this album isn't quite enough to mask the feeling that he's spinning his wheels artistically here, offering up oddly stuttering flows, laughably simplistic wordplay, and limply unimaginativeThe Toronto rapper's first true turkey even as his recent output has continued to grow weaker and weaker with each subsequent release, the interestingly dour and gloomy atmosphere crafted by Drake on this album isn't quite enough to mask the feeling that he's spinning his wheels artistically here, offering up oddly stuttering flows, laughably simplistic wordplay, and limply unimaginative trend-chasing beats over which he retreads well-worn ground without much new or interesting to say.… Expand
  21. kuki
    May 7, 2020
    10
    10 just to balance it out, but you are out of your head if you think this worse than 5/10, imo its like a 7, it has plenty very nice cuts, like chicago freestyle, when to say when, lossses, time flies, then a couple cool tracks. the only worse cuts are war and demons, even toosie slide sounds better when in the mix of these tapes than a single.
  22. SmithN51
    May 7, 2020
    10
    This album is realistically an 8/10 but damn critics haven’t been kind to this album, trims a lot of the fat compared to other drake albums at only 14 songs, this is drakes equivalent to kendricks untitled unmastered. When to say when, d4l, Chicago freestyle are all solid tracks
  23. zakTDE
    May 7, 2020
    0
    this **** so mediocre, trash and boring. he can’t do anything new. and also carti ruined one of the only songs that was okay. stay out of women’s business f@g!
  24. erujabidi
    May 6, 2020
    10
    he’s back again with another banger. landed losses deep pockets are all album worthy. not to mention time flies. can’t wait for album.
  25. Cloutguard23
    May 6, 2020
    10
    Gems are all throughout this tape... people go out of their way to hate on drake and then have nerve make nba youngboy the biggest rapper out smh
  26. icesolate
    May 6, 2020
    10
    A lot of these user scores reflect how toxic 'stan culture' has become. A lot of the critical reviews talk more about the person than the music. As a fan, this is actually a solid project. Do not let these people tell you how to think. Listen to the album and decide for yourselves.
  27. Mamnath22
    May 6, 2020
    3
    For me, this album was a very easy way for Drake to drop something. Most of these songs aren't well executed and this album will probably flop in the future.
    Disappointed to see it
  28. TylerReid
    May 6, 2020
    0
    It all sounds the same even if their is two decent tracks. It’s nothing new from drake.
  29. Gunner121
    May 6, 2020
    7
    Serves it’s purpose well in providing tracks to pass time until the true album is released. It’s biggest flaw is that it is comprised of leaks and throw away tracks that didn’t make the final cut for any other projects. However it is important not to have the same criteria for this as you would an album, it’s more of a collection of tracks that serve no true purpose to the overall theme.Serves it’s purpose well in providing tracks to pass time until the true album is released. It’s biggest flaw is that it is comprised of leaks and throw away tracks that didn’t make the final cut for any other projects. However it is important not to have the same criteria for this as you would an album, it’s more of a collection of tracks that serve no true purpose to the overall theme. It is utterly ridiculous to give something a 0 if you have a criteria to follow, I don’t think this is a 10 but in between 5-7.… Expand
  30. kid247
    May 5, 2020
    10
    It’s a solid collection of loosies that other artists could only wish they could compile - the reason it’s scoring so low is because people love to hate
  31. aftermath96
    May 5, 2020
    0
    this album is horrible, drake did really outdid himself of doing a worst, boring and derivative album than the last 4 or 5 (counting mixtapes, collaborative & "playlists") this doesn't have at least one enjoyable song, everything sucks
  32. Nima1
    May 5, 2020
    0
    Drake isn't a lyricist , that's ok!
    But there is no catchy beats or even mumbling , This album is Drake's worst album , hope the next album be better...
  33. sweet_talk3r
    May 5, 2020
    0
    Dull, boring, horrible, always the same, completely been done before, terrified to reference or not reference
  34. Leonando_souza
    May 4, 2020
    10
    The Dark Lane Demo Tapes it's his most solid work since More Life, the sounds give a great taste from what comes next in his very anticipated album
  35. RLInternet73
    May 4, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The Dark Lane Demo Tapes is a Amazing Mixtape, i Loved and millions of people too. THIS DESERVE BE NUMBER ONE ON BILLBOARD! I Just don't had Rate 10 Because Nothing Is Perfect, but i am exicited for his upcoming new studio album!… Expand
  36. offthecuff
    May 4, 2020
    4
    Everything Drake does well.... Done badly.

    The brilliant but ever contested Views formula appears to have been brought our again for this 2020 quarantine release. Drake switches out island inspirations for the every flavorful sounds of UK drill. Accompanying is a tiktok friendly song and some rnb deep cuts. Songs that appease the palette of the consistently unsatisfied    Everything Drake does well.... Done badly.

    The brilliant but ever contested Views formula appears to have been brought our again for this 2020 quarantine release. Drake switches out island inspirations for the every flavorful sounds of UK drill. Accompanying is a tiktok friendly song and some rnb deep cuts. Songs that appease the palette of the consistently unsatisfied "olddrakeplscomeback" fanbase.

    Oh and a Carti verse. That all of hip-hop is thirsty for every 5 motnhs.


    You have a recipe for success but it's just not done well, not any of it. So, instead sitting at home we have a half baked Drake to enjoy.

    As someone who's been following since Comeback season, the question is, how much more can we take before we're sick?    … Collapse
  37. Iamteaga
    May 4, 2020
    8
    UMA MIXTAPE INTERESSANTE, NADA DE MUITO ESPETACULAR, MAS COM BOAS MUSICAS QUE DEIXA O HYPE PRO SEU PRÓXIMO ALBUM
  38. mueybuey69
    May 4, 2020
    10
    drake returns again with a barrage of hits- classified as loosies and leaks. drake was made to fill times like this with content and the best of it at that.
  39. AlexanderTS
    May 4, 2020
    4
    Un album realmente aburrido. Esta claro el poco compromiso de Drake en este trabajo. Los sonidos reutilizados de sus antiguos trabajos. Esto no muestra nada novedoso.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. RapReviews.com
    May 28, 2020
    75
    It’s a complete package (pun intended). I’ll take the Jay-Z style “Song Cry” feel of “When to Say When” as an album song any day. The MexikoDro and Shebib “From Florida With Love” is the example of why I can handle Drake being Tuned up more than most of his contemporaries. He uses it without abusing it to ridiculous absurdity.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    May 7, 2020
    60
    This collection is a nice gift for fans who wanted all these stray tracks gathered up in one easily accessible place and shows that Drake's cast-offs aren't far from his keepers and his minor moves are still worth following just in case he comes up with something genius. Nothing here quite rises to that level, but overall, it's a solid entry in his ever-growing catalog.
    Read full review
  3. The New York Times
    May 6, 2020
    70
    A largely effective album-length odds-and-ends collection but not, you know, an album — may be more valuable as data than as songs.
    Read full review
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