Certified Lover Boy
by Drake
User Score
3.5

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 1158 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 253 out of 1158
  2. Mixed: 218 out of 1158
  3. Negative: 687 out of 1158
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  1. Vformusika
    Sep 4, 2021
    3
    Nothing special. same staff over and over again. He can make HUGE hits but not a good album.
  2. DondanotanL
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    Nothing new from drake on this album. Same lyrical topics and themes. Flows and melodies we have heard before. I do enjoy some of the production but is super lackluster and bloated. Considering we waited 9 months for it.
  3. JayBMac
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    I’m a big Drake fan and has him in my top 15 favorite music artists/acts of all time. But it pains me to say that never has an album that has disappointed me while I had little to no expectations. CLB is the worst Drake’s album I’ve ever listened to. Even to the point where I kinda hated this album, not because it was horrible, but because it’s the same old Drake. I was bored to the pointI’m a big Drake fan and has him in my top 15 favorite music artists/acts of all time. But it pains me to say that never has an album that has disappointed me while I had little to no expectations. CLB is the worst Drake’s album I’ve ever listened to. Even to the point where I kinda hated this album, not because it was horrible, but because it’s the same old Drake. I was bored to the point of frustration, most of the features felt wasted (especially Future and Travis Scott), and even some of the songs would have been better if Drake was left out because the features were giving more than he did, there are no bangers, and the same stuff Drake has been talking since I was in middle school. Maybe I’m just really spoiled by Drake’s music from 2009 to 2015, but this album ain’t it and the weirdest part is that I kinda hated CLB so much that it made me appreciate Views and Scorpion more and I didn’t like those albums.… Expand
  4. tovlah
    Sep 4, 2021
    3
    Drake stuck in his comfort zone... CLB sounds like a 3rd disc from Scorpion, which already sounded like a 2nd disc from Views. Evolution is necessary for an artist like Drake, who is at a crossroads at this point. Either he heads in a new direction sonically and thematically, or he will become a parody of himself. All in all, CLB is a bad album, which at a first listen, sounds like youDrake stuck in his comfort zone... CLB sounds like a 3rd disc from Scorpion, which already sounded like a 2nd disc from Views. Evolution is necessary for an artist like Drake, who is at a crossroads at this point. Either he heads in a new direction sonically and thematically, or he will become a parody of himself. All in all, CLB is a bad album, which at a first listen, sounds like you heard it all before. Shame...… Expand
  5. luke000
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    There is maybe 1 or 2 songs at best, that i want to come back to and play multiple times.
    Such a disappointing album.
  6. yungcola
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    Boring. Bland. Cudi’s feature is great, but not him, nor Baby, Travis Scott, Durk, or even Wayne can save this album.
  7. CRUSTYGUCCISOCK
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    Beat choice was great, flows were odd to say the least some lyrics are just comically bad “she said she was a lesbian, me too”. some features phoned in their bars or just took over the song completely. The two songs that shined above the rest would be yebbas heart and IMY2, but that’s mostly because of the energy and heart of the featured artists.
  8. Tannie_t0ssie
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    m i d
    Hshshdhshhshshhshdhdhhdhdhdhhshdhdhhdhdhdhdhhdhdhdhdhhdydyduududydudyjdusjsjjdjdjshdhhdhdhdhhdhdhdudhhdhduduhdhdhdhdhududhdhduududhdhdhhdhdhdhdhhdhdhehdhhdhdhd
  9. Jayz23
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    Disappointed to say the least.
    Not sure if its because im not in love nor hate my ex but its been the same ol thing.
  10. Ashmothma
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    Am not the biggest Drake fan out there, but expect a level of quality that just wasn't there. After a disappointment from Scorpion, this brought Drake to new lows. Tracks like way 2 Sexy seem catered towards TikTok viral videos - reminiscent of "Ringtone Rappers". The features from Cudi, Thug, Jay Z, and Travis are easily the highs of this album. The lows are the misogynistic lyrics, theAm not the biggest Drake fan out there, but expect a level of quality that just wasn't there. After a disappointment from Scorpion, this brought Drake to new lows. Tracks like way 2 Sexy seem catered towards TikTok viral videos - reminiscent of "Ringtone Rappers". The features from Cudi, Thug, Jay Z, and Travis are easily the highs of this album. The lows are the misogynistic lyrics, the length without a cohesive purpose and lack of memorable songs. Somehow Drake put out a 21 song album without any club hits. One where any of the "best" songs wouldn't feel out of place on any of his previous albums. A star like Drake not creatively progressing at all in his career shows a lack of care, or interest in the music world. It is clear money is the goal - there's nothing wrong with that, but its a disappointment to fans of good music.… Expand
  11. Allezpsg
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    an album for which we waited a long time and it is not the result I expected, the collaborations are good and honestly they are the ones that save the album, similar songs and nonsense
  12. SauceTooMuch
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    I’m a Drake stan, and I hold the 6 God to a much higher standard, considering all the delays, all the GOAT talk, and all the hype leading up to the album release date. What’s up with this cringe cover art? Looks like a 5 year old designed this crap. Most of the songs are boring, lazy, and uninspired. Champagne Poetry has one of the most annoying samples ever. And what’s with Way 2 Sexy andI’m a Drake stan, and I hold the 6 God to a much higher standard, considering all the delays, all the GOAT talk, and all the hype leading up to the album release date. What’s up with this cringe cover art? Looks like a 5 year old designed this crap. Most of the songs are boring, lazy, and uninspired. Champagne Poetry has one of the most annoying samples ever. And what’s with Way 2 Sexy and Knife Talk? Those two songs shouldn’t have even been on the album. There’s a bunch of mid filler type songs such as Get Along Better, and Fountains. The Jay-Z feature was a complete waste. First 5 tracks on the album are a snooze fest. There’s also a bunch of mixing issues on this album. Drake’s vocals on Race My Mind are low, and the outro is much louder. Fair Trade was good, but it did not need a Travis Scott feature. The song should’ve been a solo Drake song. I also wasn’t a fan of the Cudi feature, it sounded weird. The Ross and Wayne feature was okay, not much replay value in my opinion. The outro was also quite boring, as it sounded similar to March 14 and Views. All in all, there were many more lows than highs. Most of these tracks are completely forgettable. I really hope Drake actually puts out something cohesive and concise on his next album. This one is all over the place… Expand
  13. alej_
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    Tiene dos que tres tracks recatable, lo demás es igual, sin reinventarse y sonar siempre igual
  14. Jlayfield
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    Drake missed for the first time ever. To be clear, I'm not trashing the album because I'm a Kanye fan boy. I was in the top .08% listeners to drake last year on Spotify. He's my favorite artist between him and the Weeknd. This album was painful. There's no way drake listened to this and thought it would be good. I feel like he's trolling us. Even Dark Lane Demo Tapes was better than this,Drake missed for the first time ever. To be clear, I'm not trashing the album because I'm a Kanye fan boy. I was in the top .08% listeners to drake last year on Spotify. He's my favorite artist between him and the Weeknd. This album was painful. There's no way drake listened to this and thought it would be good. I feel like he's trolling us. Even Dark Lane Demo Tapes was better than this, and that was a mixtape technically.

    There was no meditative, introspective drake. No 6pm in New York. No NWTS vibes.

    This album was dull and weird. Between the Jamaican dancehall sound with the Nigerian artist, and the ridiculous amount of features, for the first time in my life, I heard a bad drake album. There were some tough rap songs like Knife Talk. But where were the "Jaded" or "Not You Too". Where were the "Tuscan Leather" or "Furthest Thing"

    Really, really disappointed in this.l "album" if you want to call it that. End of an era. Makes me sad for real.    … Expand
  15. DarrenFelix
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    The production on this album is amazing, and I like the samples. Drake has some great rapping but this seems overshadowed by very distracting corny bars. While a lot of the songs are catchy and have good vibe to them, for some reason they are not hitting the same. There is no real substance to the album, and I feel as though we have not gotten to see drake grow as an Artist. This album isThe production on this album is amazing, and I like the samples. Drake has some great rapping but this seems overshadowed by very distracting corny bars. While a lot of the songs are catchy and have good vibe to them, for some reason they are not hitting the same. There is no real substance to the album, and I feel as though we have not gotten to see drake grow as an Artist. This album is bloated, and it feels like many songs were just thrown on for the sake of it.… Expand
  16. nabrondsojar
    Sep 4, 2021
    3
    Certified Lover Boy starts off solid enough—both "Champagne Poetry" and "Papi's Home" are highlights upon first listen—however, the album immediately nosedives after these two tracks. Whereas these tracks sound grand and thematic with soaring production, the same cannot be said for a majority of the 20+ songs here. The production here is absolutely numbing and sleepy. Boring, really. OneCertified Lover Boy starts off solid enough—both "Champagne Poetry" and "Papi's Home" are highlights upon first listen—however, the album immediately nosedives after these two tracks. Whereas these tracks sound grand and thematic with soaring production, the same cannot be said for a majority of the 20+ songs here. The production here is absolutely numbing and sleepy. Boring, really. One has to ask what he kept postponing the album for when the finished product feels so bloated and unfocused.

    Highlights: Champagne Poetry, Papi's Home, Way 2 Sexy, TSU, Pipe Down    … Expand
  17. RuRu92
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    Thank him now ‘cus if you’re reading this it’s too late for him to have taken care on the most mid album going. Makes you wonder what the 9 month postponement was for really? Drake does Drake... again.
  18. Moonman1991
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    After scorpion I was really hoping to see Drizzy do something new. And while it’s not terrible it’s just kinda boring. The rapping is some of drakes better but that’s about all that’s interesting here, surrounded by cheesy poppy chart targeted music
  19. Jcsmoove
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    Very repetitive and boring album, carried by production at points. Some features come through but drake throughout the project to me is lackluster
  20. Blewitt_
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    This album might as well be called Scorpion 2. Very bland and boring with some decent features saving the day. It’s nothing too bad to listen to just nothing special enough that rewards the hype towards the Album. Meh.
  21. tieeeeee
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    this album is so boring and underwhelming.
    i mean it’s drake what do you expect.
    maybe like 3 out of the 21 songs were good.
  22. Jordanhulse123
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    Not the best album of his. not many good beats and slow flow on most of the songs
  23. CDOGG15
    Sep 3, 2021
    3
    Same old nonsense from a Mans who music hasn’t evolved in almost a decade
  24. Hugomonteiro
    Sep 4, 2021
    3
    Same thing as the last album, Drake sounding criminally repetitive. Unacceptable for a artist of this dimension.
  25. cslvt
    Sep 4, 2021
    3
    pas de musique marquante, aucune prise ds risque, cover décevante. du gâchis vu le casting que présentais l’album. ou est l’ancien Drake?
  26. slimeNOcap
    Sep 4, 2021
    3
    Yeah, we should all appreciate J. Cole much more. CLB doesn't have radio/playlist "hits", nor any substance. Why did he release the 3 songs earlier, those 3 good songs could have turned this from below average to average. Maybe they didn't fit into CLB's concept...CLB's concept being: boring/trash/pointless
  27. nahhdahh
    Sep 5, 2021
    3
    CLB is more geared towards this Back Outside Movement Nothing really stuck to me personally but a few joints. (IMY2,No Friends in the industry, Champagne Poetry & Way 2 Sexy ) Just because its a funny playful record. i Have much respect for Drake but respectfully this doesn't top Scorpion. Waiting For The Next Drop......
  28. llucasmoonteiro
    Sep 7, 2021
    3
    Provavelmente o pior álbum dele

    Pouco efetivo, mais do mesmo. O problema é que isso já faz 5 anos que lança a mesma coisa com nomes diferentes

    Pior ainda é a critica amaciando pra forcar que essa bosta é melhor que o Donda
  29. kidbushido
    Sep 6, 2021
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Easily Drake's weakest album. It's almost sad to see how someone who has gone from covering Lykke Like songs, is now sprewing "Say that you a lesbian, girl me too." Some songs are bangers, some are fun to listen to, but the whole album sounds uninspired.… Expand
  30. LeroyMks
    Sep 6, 2021
    3
    Simply basic album. Which is far from what I expected. there are so many weird lyrics that i can't describe
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Awards & Rankings

12
#12 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. RapReviews.com
    Oct 19, 2021
    45
    It’s beige, hollow music and that’s what ultimately frustrates your dedicated rap listener because it doesn’t make sense why it’s so damn popular. When you throw the poor writing on top of this, and some real hit-and-miss production into the mix, “Certified Lover Boy” may well be Drake’s worst album.
    Read full review
  2. Slant Magazine
    Sep 13, 2021
    40
    Drake comes across as an artist who’s bought into his mythos and persona a bit too ardently. ... The production on Certified Lover Boy is svelte yet airless, filled with lots of solemn piano lines and muted snares but absent of big flourishes or attempts at pop crossover. It’s an approach that’s likely aiming for tasteful restraint, but the effect is languid and rather directionless.
    Read full review
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Sep 13, 2021
    40
    Things start promisingly with the undulating Champagne Poetry dextrously reflecting on loneliness (“career is going great, but now the rest of me is fading slowly”), while Papi’s Home recalls early Kanye, of all people, with its sped-up samples and laid-back flow. Later, however, that playfulness calcifies into headline-grabbing stunts. ... This is an album destined to be filleted for various #mood playlists, anchored only by its creator’s untouchable fame.
    Read full review
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