February’s Features: A review of this month’s album releases

Writer Mitchell Eng’s thoughts on recent releases by Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR, Tate McRae, and The Lumineers.

Mitchell Eng, Web Sports Editor • Mar 7, 2025

Automatic – The Lumineers, February 14, 2025

Automatic, The Lumineers’ fifth studio album, blends humor and vulnerability with a new robust style, but also maintains the duo’s storytelling prowess. The opening track, “Same Old Song,” starts strong, but I find it gets boring toward the end, with lead singer Wesley Schultz repeating “same old song” until it’s dull. However, “Automatic” stands out, as Schultz’s raw delivery and low tone take center stage while a melancholy piano gives his lyrics more meaning. The other half of The Lumineers, Jeremiah Fraites, shines on “Sunflowers,” an instrumental track with an eerie piano melody and haunting background vocals, showcasing his compositional strengths.

Despite its highs, Automatic has some moments that are forgettable. While musically well-rounded, the duo struggles to exemplify a common theme throughout the album. It’s standard indie music, and there’s not much wrong with that. I just feel like The Lumineers can do so much more.

$ome $exy $ongs 4 U – Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR, February 14, 2025

Drake wants us to think that $ome $exy $ongs 4 U is a return to the classic R&B that made him so popular, but ultimately his attempt falls flat. I find that he tries to incorporate styles that were considered classic in albums such as Take Care, yet frankly, it feels like he’s struggling to make music that truly connects with his audience. Songs like “CRYING IN CHANEL” and “RAINING IN HOUSTON” are slow and shallow attempts at R&B with lyrics discussing themes of love and affection, which is mundane coming from an artist like Drake. “NOKIA,” the song that I find the most appealing, still discusses topics such as partying, which I find lame, especially coming from an artist who is now 38 years old. Oh, and did I mention? PARTYNEXTDOOR is here as well.

Listening to this album feels like scrolling through old texts, yearning to change the past. I used to enjoy Drake’s music, especially his more musically intricate and introspective work, but now it feels fake. PARTYNEXTDOOR is largely an afterthought, with none of his contributions sticking with me past my first listen. $ome $exy $ongs 4 U isn’t exactly sexy. They are a sad reminder of what Drake used to be, and what he has become musically.

So Close to What – Tate McRae, February 21, 2025

Tate McRae’s So Close to What is packed with glossy, early 2000s-inspired pop, but often it feels like a playlist of borrowed songs. However, I can’t deny that there are hits. Although repetitive, “2 hands” is a bouncy pop track with lyrics discussing themes of sex and enjoying the presence of a partner. However, it is evident that Tate McRae is still growing musically. Flo Milli undeniably outperforms her on “bloodonmyhands” while “Sports car” attempts to channel the energy of Y2K artists like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, though it’s clear that Tate McRae lacks even half their artistic vision.

However, that’s not to say that So Close to What is a bad album. I’m sure her fanbase will appreciate her growth, as I find it better than her 2023 album THINK LATER, but I also think she needs to find her niche within the music industry. She shifts between Charli XCX’s high energy, FKA twigs’ creativity, and Kelly Clarkson’s flow, yet she never sticks long enough to make them her own. She’s not quite there, as the album shines but never lands. She’s so close (to what).

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About the Contributors

Mitchell Eng, Web Sports Editor

Mitchell is a junior and serves as Web Sports Editor for the Oracle. Outside of school, he enjoys playing soccer, listening to music, and spending time with his friends.

Ava Li, Web News Editor, Social Media Manager

Ava is a senior and serves as Web News Editor and Social Media Manager for the Oracle. Outside of school, she enjoys dancing, drawing, and running hurdles for track.