The Slow Burn That Stayed Lit: Revisiting $$$4U

When Drake and PartyNextDoor dropped $ome $exy $songs 4 U I’ll admit my first reaction was kinda mixed. And I wasn’t alone. The internet didn’t really know what to make of it at first. Some folks were saying it was dull, repetitive, and too slow. You had people calling the vocals flat, the vibe too mellow. And honestly? On first listen, I kinda saw what they were saying. A few tracks felt like they bled into each other, like one long, late-night slow jam that never quite hit. Now, that may be a part of my set and setting. I listened to it when it first dropped, and I was doing some work. Maybe I didn’t give it the attention it deserved. I was kind of trying to just get through all the songs. I didn’t even notice the sample, the melodies, the subtle callbacks. There are some great easter eggs in this album; you have to listen out for them.

So now, six weeks later, I’m convinced $$$4U is a classic. This album doesn’t hit you with fireworks upfront. It sneaks up on you. I’m hearing melodies in my head days after listening, replaying songs that didn’t hit at first but now feel like they’ve always been with me. It’s one of those projects that rewards you the more time you spend with it. This album is aging like fine wine and you might want to give it another spin if you wrote it off early.

I’m going to break it down but I want to start with the ending of the album actually. That final stretch of songs, the ones a lot of people said were forgettable at first have quietly become some of the strongest on the album.

This one right here snuck up on me in the best way. “Somebody Loves Me” has quietly become one of the most loved tracks by fans—and I totally get why now. At first, I thought it was just another smooth, vibey cut. But the more I listened, the more it hit me how emotionally rich it is. This song is about searching for real love when you’re surrounded by everything but that.

PARTYNEXTDOOR opens with that signature warmth in his voice, sounding like he’s genuinely yearning for something deeper. Then Drake comes in and takes it a level further, laying bare the isolation that can come with fame. He’s not flexing here—he’s stripped down, vulnerable, and almost pleading for someone to love him for who he actually is, not the persona. It’s that type of confessional energy that reminds me why people connected with early Drake in the first place.

It has that moody Toronto R&B feel we love, but more importantly, it feels real. Every time I replay it, a new lyric stands out. If you ever felt like nobody really sees you for you, this track is gonna hit a nerve. It’s not just a good song. It’s a necessary one. And that melody… man I’m sorry but this is some elite crooning 😂😭

Then there’s “Celibacy.” I mean, just the idea of Drake trying to convince a woman to break her celibacy for him is wild, but it works because he plays it so smooth. The vocals are velvet. It’s one of his best performances on the album, no cap. The production is seductive, and if you listen closely, there’s even a sneaky response to Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” tucked in there. Subtle, but effective.

“OMW” is another slow-burn standout. So, with this one, PND starts it and his verse is good and all, he sets the stage, but what really gives this track replay value is Drake’s verse. You can’t skip this one because then you miss the melodies. It’s hard not to sing along to it, and the way it comes on, the production is captivating. It sounds different from a lot of the songs on the album in a good way.

Now, “Glorious”. This one was divisive. I’m not gonna lie, when I first heard it, I was like “What is this?” The drill energy, the random Ice Spice sample, the tempo shift. It felt out of place. But the more I sat with it, the more I got it. It’s a jolt of energy in the album’s late stretch, and it works. Drake gets a little more aggressive, PND matches the intensity, and that Ice Spice moment? It’s actually fire. It’s got flavor. It’s quirky, sure, but it breaks up the vibe in the best way. I was never an Ice Spine hater so the track is actually hard af to me. Hey man, the boy is versatile. What do you want me to say.

“When He’s Gone” though? That one is a whole mood. It might be the most emotional track on the album. You’ve got PND setting it up with that heartache-laced vocal, and then Drake comes in with what I think is his best verse on the entire album. It’s all about realizing someone’s worth too late. A classic Drake theme, right? But it hits harder here because of the production, the pacing, the mood. It’s got that 2 AM, driving-in-the-rain energy.

And finally, “Greedy.” Six and a half minutes of emotional closure. This song… man, this is how you end an album. It evolves as you listen. Goes from R&B to this beautiful piano outro, with rain sounds and all. It’s layered, it’s heartfelt, and it wraps up all the album’s themes about love, ambition, and regret. Drake and PND go back and forth in harmony, and it just builds this emotional swell.

Outside that final run, there are a few other songs I gotta mention because they’ve gotten better with time too.

NOKIA was a standout from the jump though. That classic ringtone sample, the playful lyrics. It was the fun track that cut through all the sadness. It gave me “Hotline Bling” energy, and it’s still just as catchy now. Honestly, we need more tracks like this in today’s R&B. Fun, lighthearted, but still fly.

“Die Trying” is one that felt weird at first. Acoustic guitar, big pop hook. But it clicks after a few listens. It’s Drake going full vulnerable, and PND’s vocals are soaring. Then Yebba slides in and takes it to another level. Yeah, it felt a little soft at first, but it’s got heart. It’s become one of those “guilty pleasure” tracks for a lot of people, including me.

And “Moth Balls”. Man, this one should’ve gotten more attention early on. It’s nostalgic, it’s got Toronto all over it, and it’s one of the first moments on the album where Drake and PND lock into perfect sync. It really sets the tone. The chemistry is effortless here. You listen to it again now, and you realize it was great from the beginning.

Lastly, “Gimme A Hug.” This one had everyone buzzing because of the obvious Drake diss references. But beyond the gossip, it’s actually a really solid track. It’s Drake admitting that all the rap beefs distracted him from what he loves. Making music for the fans, vibing out, having fun. It’s a moment of honesty. And the beat knocks too. Once the hype around the beef cooled off, this track started getting the credit it deserved. It’s cathartic, catchy, and a turning point on the album where Drake lets go of the drama and leans back into the music.

So here’s the thing. Why does $$$4U feel like it’s getting better with time while so many other albums just fade out? I think it’s because this one has heart. It’s consistent. It’s vulnerable. It’s moody in the best way. And it’s made for the fans who love this side of Drake and PND. This isn’t “let’s chase a TikTok hit” music. It’s cohesive, deliberate, and meant to be lived with. The production is lush, the transitions are smooth, and the whole thing feels like a story told in whispered late-night conversations.

Compared to some of Drake’s more recent albums, like Her Loss or For All The Dogs, this one isn’t packed with guest features or club bangers. It’s stripped back. It’s focused. And it reminds us of why we fell in love with OVO’s sound in the first place. You can tell Drake and PND weren’t trying to impress anybody but themselves and their real fans. That’s rare now.

And let’s not forget the chemistry. Drake and PartyNextDoor have been making magic for over a decade, and this album feels like a culmination of that. They know how to play off each other. PND brings the soul, Drake brings the sauce, and together, they hit a perfect balance. You can’t fake that kind of synergy.

My final take. $$$4U was misunderstood at first, but that’s because it’s not fast-food music. It’s slow-cooked. It’s the kind of project that lives with you, and lives in you, the more time you give it. Every week, I hear it a little differently. Every listen reveals something new. That’s rare. That’s special. And that’s why I’ll keep defending this album. If you haven’t revisited it recently, do yourself a favor. Throw it on during a late-night drive or when you’re in your feelings. You might just realize this wasn’t some throwaway collab. It’s a slow-burn classic. A sleeper that’s quietly becoming one of their best.

Years from now, I really think we’ll look back on $$$4U the way we do Take Care or Nothing Was the Same. At first, it was good. Now, it’s great. And if you ask me? It’s still getting better.