Drake Meets Coldplay in October's Very Cold

October’s Very Cold is a free mixtape produced by deejay Chi Duly that combines the hit songs of two artists from very different genres: Coldplay and Drake.

As a hip-hop fan, I’m very familiar with the world of mixtapes, and I’m always a little iffy when I come across a mixtape released by someone I’m not familiar with. At first glance, I have to admit that my expectations were low. Most popular deejays rely on chopping popular songs and splicing them back together in such a way that, though entertaining to dance to in the clubs, is not the most artistic accomplishment. Chi Duly shattered every one of my expectations.

As a fan of both Drake and Coldplay, I thoroughly enjoyed this album, though I will warn that Coldplay fans may not get the same enjoyment. The majority of the songs consist of Drake’s lyrics and beats layered over the music of Coldplay, so if you’re not a Drake fan, it may be harder to sing along to.

Like musical bookends, October’s Very Cold begins and ends with mixes that have a predominantly Coldplay influence. Chris Martin’s soulful vocals take center stage in mixes “Ever Lost” (a combination of “Lost” by Coldplay and lines from various songs Drake has been featured in) and “A Rush to Vegas” (a combination of Coldplay’s “A Rush to Arms” and Drake’s “Houstalantavegas”), but Drake’s beats and comments refuse to fade into the background. At first glance, what seems like it would sound like an annoying friend randomly spitting rhymes over the radio is anything but that. Drake’s echoing comments only enhance these two songs, providing a sort of reassurance to the message Chris Martin is trying to send to the listener.

The rest of the mixtape consists of an overlay of Drake’s lyrics over Coldplay’s impeccable melodies. One of my favorite mixes on October’s Very Cold was a track titled “The Best Strawberry,” in which the lyrics to Drake’s first hit “Best I Ever Had” seem to play along the tune of Coldplay’s “Strawberry Swing,” giving the song an undeniably upbeat feel. In “Money to Fix,” Drake’s rhymes of the casual spending of money are slowed down to fit the somber ambience of “Fix You” by Coldplay. Though the songs possess strikingly contrasted messages, the mesh does not feel awkward or out of place.

Overall, this mixtape is nothing short of a work of art, and each song was seamlessly matched to its accompaniment, perfectly blending the work of these two very distinct artists. It embodies the true meaning of the old adage “opposites attract.”

October’s Very Cold is available free for download on Chi Duly’s official site.