BEHIND THE STITCH: ALANI
June 21, 2024
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When Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR announced their joint album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, fans anticipated a sultry, nocturnal experience–an extension of their signature chemistry that had defined collaborations like Recognize and Come and See Me. What they got, however, was an album that sparked considerable debate–a sprawling 21-track odyssey, undeniably rich in sonic experimentation and spawning sounds that were perceived in completely different lights by different listeners. Amidst the waves of emotion and opinionated musings stood NOKIA, a track that pulsates with nostalgia and reinvention, brought to life by the enigmatic Sierra Leonean producer, Elkan.
Released on February 14, 2025, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U quickly shot to the top of the Billboard 200, securing Drake’s 14th No. 1 album and marking a milestone for PARTYNEXTDOOR as his first. The album, described as a cocktail of contemporary R&B, trap, and alternative influences, oscillates between shattering heartache and intense pleasure, creating a soundscape where lust and loneliness coexist.
Critics, however, were divided. Some hailed it as a seamless fusion of Drake’s introspective storytelling and PND’s velvet-smooth delivery. Others saw it as a bloated project that overstayed its welcome. Rolling Stone praised its “well-executed mood-driven aesthetic,” while Pitchfork dismissed it as “forgettable,” lamenting its lack of innovation.
Yet, even among the mixed reviews, one track sparked a unique kind of enthusiasm. NOKIA, with its hypnotic bounce and retro-futuristic production, stood out from the general undertone of the album’s other sounds–a club-ready anthem through and through. From its opening seconds, NOKIA grips the listener with an infectious energy. The production is a playful blend of high-pitched vocal loops, bouncy synths, and a driving beat reminiscent of early 2000s club bangers.
Lyrically, NOKIA is flirtatious and self-assured, a track that finds Drake in his comfort zone, weaving effortlessly between bravado and sentimentality. Meanwhile, PARTYNEXTDOOR’s verses add a hazy, melodic contrast, reinforcing the song’s late-night allure.
But what truly elevates NOKIA is its production, a masterstroke by Elkan, a producer whose work is quickly becoming a staple in modern sound design.
Elkan, a London-based music producer and composer, has built his reputation on crafting immersive soundscapes that blend nostalgia with cutting-edge techniques. What sets Elkan apart is his signature approach: incorporating elements reminiscent of childhood melodies, eerie synth patterns, and unconventional vocal distortions. This is evident in NOKIA, where his production transports the listener into an alternate sonic dimension–playful yet futuristic, catchy yet intricate.
Elkan’s versatility extends beyond hip-hop and R&B. Before working with Drake and PND, he had already made waves in multiple industries. He contributed to Lecrae’s Church Clothes 4, which secured a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album in 2024. He also ventured into video game scoring, composing for Madden 24, proving his adaptability across mediums.
On social media, Elkan expressed his excitement about NOKIA, calling it “a beat made from pure vibes,” while revealing that the production process was deeply personal, created during a time of emotional turbulence. This certainly adds an extra layer of depth to the song, for what sounds like an effortless club banger is, at its core, the product of raw emotion and creative resilience.
With its sonically adventurous and extremely intriguing soundscape, it’s no wonder that Drake and PND fans have latched onto its infectious energy, flooding social media with dance challenges and memes centered around its playful hook.
In a way, NOKIA encapsulates what $ome $exy $ongs 4 U does best: it thrives on vibe, on atmosphere, on the intangible feeling of a moment. While the album as a whole may not be hailed as a classic, tracks like NOKIA prove that within the excess, there are flashes of brilliance. And with Elkan at the helm of its production, the song stands as a testament to the power of sound to transcend mere beats and lyrics–it becomes an experience.
As the discourse around $ome $exy $ongs 4 U continues to unfold, one thing is clear: NOKIA is a track that will stick around, not just as a fleeting hit, but as a blueprint for how nostalgia and innovation can collide in the most unexpected ways.
