Score: 3.5/5
Before I begin this review, let me say this album is not supposed to be groundbreaking or a Grammy-nominee. Drake’s surprise mixtape-album “If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late,” is a collection of songs he simply released for unknown reasons. 
A few hours before midnight Drake almost pulled a Beyonce and released his mixtape-album under the radar. As expected, social media exploded with for the 17-track project. However, there’s a reason he calls this a mixtape and that should be remembered when listening.
Drake starts the album with “Legend” establishing his status in rap culture. It’s a smooth four-minute track that is as easily infectious as many of Drake’s boastful R&B songs are. 
After the opener, the album goes into a few tracks of Drake sizing-up the competition, talking about his current life and more placing himself at the top. 
Finding its way onto the mixtape-album seven tracks in, “6 God” reminds listeners of Drake’s versatility and how impressive he can be when he simply raps.
Nine tracks into the mixtape-album is the first feature. “Preach” gets a boost from OVO’s PARTYNEXTDOOR, and the two both feed off of each other on the song. If any song were to hit the radio soon, it would be this one.
A few more winners follow “Preach” such as “Used To,” “6 Man” and “Company.”
The last two songs, “Jungle” and “6PM in New York,” are enough to realize Drake can snap at any point or be as introspective as needed. He has always been able to proudly display his humanity through his music and he does it well with these two tracks. 
In “Jungle,” Drake looks at his life, his time at home and what the “6” means to him. He also released a short film for this song, not a music video, but a short film. 
“6PM in New York” is a separate monster. He throws a few jabs at Tyga and his relationship with Kylie Jenner. This shows the beef between the two isn’t over just yet. 
Arguments aside, Drake appears to be entering his Kanye phase. He’s trying different beats and styles to create a new Drizzy. This isn’t a bad thing, but the songs here don’t always land the way they should — or maybe they do. 
This is not the anticipated “Views From the 6.” With all the controversy surrounding Cash Money Records right now, this mixtape-album may have been a sign that Drake is further distancing himself from the label. 
A mixtape is meant to be a jumble of songs, never really good or bad. “If You’re Reading This…” is just that. It’s a collection of songs, Drake felt he needed to put out. It’s not bad, but it’s not great. Before anyone begins to say Drake has lost it, this isn’t the project to judge. 
If this is a precursor for the real album, we should all expect something different from “Take Care” and “Nothing Was The Same.”