One for the Road (Devin the Dude album)

Background

In November 2010, Devin the Dude released his seventh studio album Gotta Be Me, under Real Talk Entertainment. In April 2012, Devin the Dude announced that his eighth studio album would be titled One for the Road and announced that it would be released in June 2012. After a year of relative musical silence, on June 24, 2013 Devin the Dude announced, that his eighth studio album would be titled One for the Road and would be released in September 2013.

On September 13, 2013, it was announced that the album would be released on October 8, 2013 via independent powerhouse eOne Music. The same day Devin revealed the cover artwork for the album. The cover art plays on popular cliches, with "Devin sitting at a bar looking like he has already had a couple alcoholic drinks for the road, while being handed a CD which is presumably also for the road." On September 21, 2013, the album was pushed back one week from October 8, 2013, until October 15, 2013.

Release and promotion

After announcing the album, during April through May 12, 2012 Devin the Dude toured the United States. Devin the Dude then released an EP titled, Seriously Trippin on May 22, 2012 in promotion of his upcoming album. On October 8, 2013, the album was released for free streaming, for a limited time via SoundCloud.

On September 12, 2013, Devin the Dude released the album's first single, "Probably Should Have" which features him reflecting on past relationships that ended bad. The song's smooth production was handled by Thomas Knudsen and Even Brenna. On September 20, 2013, "Probably Should Have" was serviced to urban contemporary radio. The music video was released on October 14, 2013.

Critical reception

One for the Road was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. Oscar Pascual of San Francisco Chronicle said, "Devin The Dude has always won us over with his chill beats, effortless flow, and affinity for smoking weed. Not much has changed in his latest album, One For The Road, and that’s a good thing. The disc is packed with smoke-out anthems like "I’m Just Gettin’ Blowed" while also grounding us with life issues like his relationship problems in the song "Probably Should Have". Andrew Gretchko of HipHopDX also gave the album a positive review saying, "While One For The Road’s primarily down-tempo beats help showcase Devin’s latest twist in subject matter, they also put too much of the album’s focus on his lyrics, lacking the kind of complexity (or heavy bass) that would win over some fans before his raps even began. The result is an album filled with the type of laid-back, lackluster production suited for a long drive on the open road."

RAJ of Uproxx's Smoking Section gave the album a positive review saying, "For decades, Devin the Dude’s been hammering out delicious, smokey rhymes to sit back and ride to, and One For The Road doesn’t deviate from the formula. The highs include the weed anthem “I’m Just Getting Blowed,” and continue through the lush lead single, “Probably Should Have,” as Devin woefully laments past relationships gone wrong. However, because of this formula, the album winds up missing any distinctive or unique elements to set it apart from the rest of the Hip-Hop landscape. It ain’t broke, but it’s nothing new–for better or worse." Timothy Goldrick of Iowa State Daily said, "production is less than desirable throughout the album. Loud synthesizers overshadow many songs, while others are messy and rushed. For Devin the Dude’s reincarnation to be as successful as planned, he could have gone with some nice relaxed West-coast beats, but instead he tried to hit the home run. Devin has songs that function well on their own, but the lack of cohesion is still evident."

Personnel