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If You're Reading This It's Too Late [Mixtape]
by
If You're Reading This It's Too Late [Mixtape] Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 517 Ratings

  • Summary: The surprise 17-track mixtape from the Canadian artist features guest appearances from Lil Wayne, PARTYNEXTDOOR, and Travi$ Scott was produced by Noah “40” Shebib and Matthew Jehu Samuels.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. The 405
    Feb 19, 2015
    85
    Sonically, this is the most Drake Drake's ever been, with the signature sound he's been dancing around ever since 2009's So Far Gone (released exactly 6 years prior) finally being cemented in wall-to-wall.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Feb 17, 2015
    83
    Late is hardly a throwaway. In fact, it might be his most consistently rewarding full-length yet.
  3. HipHopDX
    Feb 17, 2015
    80
    At 28, he’s very much hitting his stride in Rap, using every transitional moment to add one more compelling chapter to his narrative.
  4. PopMatters
    Feb 26, 2015
    80
    Drake’s main concern now seems to be maintaining his status for as long as possible, resulting in some of the most intricately psychological and personally motivated songs in his catalog.
  5. DJ Booth
    Feb 13, 2015
    70
    The "album" feels like a bunch of random songs, some quality songs mind you, but still just a bunch of songs that don't add up to anything larger.
  6. The Wire
    May 15, 2015
    70
    His music has an airless, contrived and over-polished quality. However, the production style developed by his team of collaborators is glacially impressive, if gloomy. [Apr 2015, p.66]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. New York Daily News (Jim Faber)
    Feb 13, 2015
    60
    The album ends up seeming more like a stop-gap than a surge ahead. For the first two-thirds, Drake relies on his usual sing-song style, stoking interest only with his inventive stretches in phrasing.... Otherwise, cooler hooks, melodic flashes of R&B, or great variation can be hard to find.

See all 33 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 55 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 65
  3. Negative: 3 out of 65
  1. davidofgraft
    Feb 15, 2015
    10
    At first listen, I didn't know how to feel about this, because there aren't many memorable hooks or verses on here. Upon more listens, though,At first listen, I didn't know how to feel about this, because there aren't many memorable hooks or verses on here. Upon more listens, though, I truly understand this project. Drake put focus on putting out a raw, unpolished body of work. Sure, he may have done this just to satisfy a label contract. Sure, this may not be his best project. However, Drake still has an ear for beats and knows how to rap (no matter how sporadic or unfocused his lyrics may occasionally be). It's one for the record books.… Expand
  2. adrianmarino
    Mar 27, 2017
    10
    LIT, hard ass tracks, very drake. I honestly like every single song. This is the drake the people want and have been searching for. This drakeLIT, hard ass tracks, very drake. I honestly like every single song. This is the drake the people want and have been searching for. This drake is better than any active rapper right now.… Expand
  4. AlFelix
    Feb 16, 2015
    9
    Overall i felt the album was really good, Drake's rapping and singing mix delivered on this album or mixtape what ever it is. The record couldOverall i felt the album was really good, Drake's rapping and singing mix delivered on this album or mixtape what ever it is. The record could of been much better without Partynextdoor though. Production on the record was great , hooks etc. were also great like usual dreezy. Drake though needs better punch lines and needs to put in a lil more rap and a lil less singing but flow was amazing throughout the album. And lastly i really enjoyed the hidden shots… Expand
  5. vonald_trumps
    Feb 13, 2015
    8
    Aubrey Drake Graham does it yet again. Noah "40" Shebib delivers several solid beats throughout the album, as well as boi-1da and syk sense.Aubrey Drake Graham does it yet again. Noah "40" Shebib delivers several solid beats throughout the album, as well as boi-1da and syk sense. In the past, most albums of drake's were feature heavy, however this newest installment limits itself to only a few artists (Partynextdoor, Travi$ Scott, and Lil Wayne), whose involvement within the album are mediocre at best. . With that being said, that is one of the ONLY drawbacks of the album. The accompaniment of Drake's short film "The Jungle" creates a mysterious vibe that surrounds the entire album, since both were random releases. However, fun fact, "If you're reading this it's too late" was released on the same date as "So Far Gone", an earlier mixtape. Drakes flow fluctuates throughout the album, and changes depending on the beat. This is most evident on the track, "Energy". In the words of Drake, this album definitely passes the, "can you drive at night while listening to this album?" test.

    Best Tracks: Legend, Know Yourself, Madonna, 6 God, Star67, You and the 6, Jungle

    Worst Tracks: 10 bands, Preach, Used To, Company

    Overall, the album is above average, but begins lacking substance towards the middle of the tracklist.    … Expand
  6. JoeyTheLegend6
    Sep 11, 2020
    8
    My favorite one from Drake. Catchy Hooks & Fire Beats. I'd definitely recommend this album / mixtape.
    Fav. Tracks:
    . 6 Man, Jungle, Know    My favorite one from Drake. Catchy Hooks & Fire Beats. I'd definitely recommend this album / mixtape.
    Fav. Tracks:
    . 6 Man, Jungle, Know Yourself, No Tellin, Star67..
    Least Fav. Tracks: Madonna and Now & Forever    … Expand
  7. Tonyo
    Apr 29, 2016
    7
    Avec cette mixtape qui ne contient aucun single porteur, Drake prouve qu'il est un artiste incontournable de la scène hip-hop. Son flow estAvec cette mixtape qui ne contient aucun single porteur, Drake prouve qu'il est un artiste incontournable de la scène hip-hop. Son flow est supérieur à celui de ses confrères. Bon opus.… Expand
  8. Tribulations
    Jul 8, 2015
    0
    Complete and utter garbage, all of the mixtape was to much of his singing which sounds terrible and also the verses were to repetitive IComplete and utter garbage, all of the mixtape was to much of his singing which sounds terrible and also the verses were to repetitive I hated this album because it was garbage.… Expand

See all 65 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Most Discussed Album of 2015
51
#51 Most Shared Album of 2015

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