Drake, Laugh Now Cry Later | Track Review 🎵

Though it’s moderately interesting, “Laugh Now Cry Later,” the promo single from Certified Lover Boy, isn’t a slam dunk for Drake.

Drake hasn’t actually released a new studio album since 2018, but you wouldn’t know it.  The Grammy-winning rapper/singer manages to remain in the spotlight, whether its random singles, mixtapes, or etc.  Since releasing Scorpion in 2018, Drizzy managed to reissue So Far Gone (2019), drop his Care Package (2019), and drop Dark Lane Demo Tapes (2020).  Finally, he’s back with “Laugh Now Cry Later,” the promo single from his forthcoming studio album, Certified Lover Boy.  He’s assisted by Lil Durk.

“Laugh Now Cry Later” commences with a chordal pad that sets the tone – the ‘vibe’ – early on. Here, we get colorful production courtesy of Cardogotwings, GRy, Yung Exclusive, Rogét Chahayed.  As always, the backdrop supporting Drake works soundly.  As usual, we get melodic rhymes from the 6 God; he remains firmly planted in the style we’re accustomed to hearing. Following a short intro, he unveils the chorus, which is ultimately pretty enjoyable:

“Sometimes we laugh and sometimes we cry, but I guess you know now, baby
I took a half and she took the whole thing, slow down, baby
We took a trip, now we on your block and it's like a ghost town, baby
Where do these n***as be at when they say they doin' all this and all that?”

On the first verse, Drake drops some noteworthy lyrics, including a personal favorite, “Distance between us isn’t like a store, this isn’t a closeable gap.” He flexes on the third verse.  That said, the juiciest lyrics come at the end though, referencing information associated with his Pusha T beef and his son:

“Pillow talk with ‘em, she spillin’ the tea
And then shawty came back and she didn’t mean it
It’s hard to believe it.”

Moving on to Lil Durk, he matches the melodic approach/flow by Drake on the second verse. It’s a relatively short feature, but still, there are noteworthy lines such as “Can you not play that lil’ boy in the club? ‘Cause we do not listen to rats.”

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, “Laugh Now Cry Later” is a moderately interesting song.  Would I call this ‘the second coming?’ By any means. Maybe it’s the fact that there’s been plenty of Drake even when he’s not releasing a brand-new studio album that the sheen has worn off some.  Respectable, but not game changing.

Drake • “Laugh Now Cry Later” (Ft. Lil Durk) • OVO / Republic • Release: 8.14.20

Photo Credits: OVO / Republic