Drake dropped a four-pack of new songs on DSPs Friday (Oct. 2), and fans got exactly what they asked for: the dynamic “Cold Shoulder” featuring Don Toliver, plus an extended version of HABIBTI’s “Classic,” “Quebec” and “Solar Eclipse.” The 6 God teased the release earlier this week during a gambling stream on Kick, promising “a bunch of songs” would arrive on Thursday.
He streamed a gambling session on Kick and told viewers to check the FOMO short film. “Go watch FOMO. It’s a bunch of songs coming to streaming on Thursday,” Drake said. “So, all the songs that you guys have been asking [about]. Well, not all of them. Enough of them are coming on Thursday. That’s it.”
The Four Tracks
The deluxe set pairs two collaborations with Don Toliver. “Solar Eclipse” interpolates Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” which is spending a record 24th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Cold Shoulder” brings in Yebba for additional vocals, and the crisp CDQ version sounds more polished than the livestream heard in September.
“Quebec” is the least formidable of the four, per the ranking. The lavish visual sees Drake flexing a diamond-encrusted watch, a rare Jaguar and a Cam’ron-inspired pink Range Rover as he turns his kitchen into an Ibiza dance party. It’s a warm-up or lyrical exercise, the ranking says, not a full statement.
“Classic PT2” is the second version of HABIBTI’s “Classic,” left on the cutting room table back in May. Drake removes the halftime beat switch and raunchy Jus’ Cauze sample in exchange for a second verse and the return of the sticky chorus. The ranking calls it a potent combination when Drake features Drake.
The Ranking Of The Four-Pack
The ranking places the tracks in order:
- “Cold Shoulder” Feat. Don Toliver & Yebba — the crown jewel, with the crispiest version sounding polished
- “Classic PT2” — the extended version that brings back the chorus
- “Solar Eclipse” Feat. Don Toliver — the country interpolation at the heart of the set
- “Quebec” — the warm-up, with the pink Range Rover and diamond-encrusted watch
Drake’s Year So Far
Drake released the deluxe a week after Taylor Swift used a similar strategy with her foursome of new tracks packaged as The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore.
Drake has had a strong year. His 15th No. 1 album, ICEMAN, topped the Billboard 200 in May, and “Janice STFU” marked his 14th No. 1 smash on the Billboard Hot 100. The May trifecta of ICEMAN, HABIBTI and MAID OF HONOUR made history, with Drake becoming the first artist to hold the top three slots on the Billboard 200 simultaneously.
“Cold Shoulder” could’ve been an ICEMAN standout or launched Toliver into Nitrous, the ranking suggests. As a standalone single, it has the legs to be a chart juggernaut. Whether the hype has died down since the track’s debut weeks ago remains to be seen.
Source material: “Drake’s ‘HABIBTI (FOMO)’ Deluxe: All 4 New Songs Ranked,” Billboard.
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