Drake has come through with a new project during quarantine, Dark Lane Tape Demo. As its fairly low-key title suggests, this is not exactly a new album: the rapper described it as a collection of “songs people have been asking for (some leaks and some joints from SoundCloud and some new vibes)”, although he did reveal that his sixth studio album would drop later in the summer. Previously released songs like the forgettable “Toosie Slide” spar for space with anticipated collaborations with Playboi Carti. Drake’s lyrical themes are the same as ever (betrayals and mistrust, bad exes, veiled references to his ongoing beefs, etc), but sonically he brings in genres like drill and gets playful with “Losses”, a track using elements from a quarantine IG Live session between Drake and his dad.
Elsewhere this week, synth-pop artist Austra returns with HiRUDiN, actor Caleb Landry Jones (Get Out, Twin Peaks: The Return, Heaven Knows What) turns to 60s style psychedelic pop on The Mother Stone, and experimental musician Elysia Crampton surprise drops a brand new album, ORCORARA 2010. Keep your eyes peeled on Bandcamp today, too – the platform is waiving fees again, meaning plenty of DIY and independent musicians will be releasing new records to capitalise on the extra money. Take a listen below.
