Future, Future | Album Review 💿

ATL super rapper Future returns with another surprise project, simply titled, ‘Future.’  ‘Future’ follows 2016 surprise LP, ‘EVOL.’   

Future has quickly elevated himself as one of the hottest rappers in the game.  After something of a slow start with Pluto, despite its promising moments, Future has made up tons of ground, most notably with 2015 smash, DS2.  Since then, the Atlanta MC has been on a hot streak, releasing project after project, and collaborating with numerous artists in genre and out.  In 2017, he drops another album, simply titled, Future.  Fitting.

Future is comprised of 17 tracks – that’s a lot of Future to say the least. Expectedly, the rapper sticks to the script, for better for worse.  That means that the album has its triumphs, but also has its stale moments because he’s already “been there, done that.”  The rub with this particular project is, more often than not, there’s recycling as opposed to fresh, vibrant new material.  Yes, the trap is lit, but it’s also predictable.

“Rent Money”

Things start ferociously with ✓ “Rent Money.”  All in all, this is pristine Future.  The one rub is that he recycles the flow from “In Her Mouth,” one of the standout records from EVOL.  Sure, it’s no crime to lift from oneself, but this hints at a saturation problem.  Saturated fat isn’t good for anyone, after all.  That said, pour on the fat and calories with “Rent Money” – it’s among the crème de la crème.

On “Good Dope,” Future keeps things simple: “I do good dope, I got a good ho.” The profound joint clocks in at just under three minutes. It’s understandable why.  Even so, the production bangs – good enough for the club.

“Zoom”

✓  “Zoom” keeps the vibe dark and seedy to the nth degree.  The production sounds faded, a pro that distinguishes from the other songs. From the jump, Future gets to work and never looks back. He constructs a sick hook:

“Turbo switchin’ lanes, Hublot switch your watch
Trappin’ switch the spots, when you’re running hot
Feet on the gas (gone), trappin’ dem bags (Pluto)
Run up a sack and never look back
Shorty got miles on her, I’m about to spaz in it (boom boom)
I ran it up fast, I ran it up fast…”

“Draco”

On “Draco,” Future is indeed Super Future, at least from his perspective.  Early on, he makes it clear, “You ain’t never ever get your b*tch back.” He continues asserting his awesomeness, bragging about his conquests, eventually spitting, “I’ve been drippin’ like a god with her.”  Ultimately, “Draco” is all about how potent his sex game is. “Rat tat!” “Super Trapper” keeps the beat “ill, not sick.” The concept is familiar AF.  Future is one successful SOB, and he wants the whole world to know it.

“All these foreigns got me lookin’ inconsiderate
All these ‘xotic bitches got me like a racist
I just throw that in the safe and then count it
My tennis bracelets lookin’ like a water fountain.”

It’s shallow, but nobody expects him to be profound, right? Money dominates follow-up “POA.”

“I need a power of attorney, I’m ‘bout to fuck up some M’s
I need a power of attorney, you need to get this on film.”

Liken “POA” to banger “Fuck Up Some Commas.” It’s nothing brand new, but excels in the banger department nonetheless.

“Mask Off”

Future deserves some credit on ✓ “Mask Off.” The production still features signature southern rap drums, but the sound is lighter. With Future banging so hard and malicious, this change of pace adds some much-needed variance.  Substance remains an issue at times, but he has reflective moments: “From food stamps to a whole ‘nother domain.”

“High Demand” is another cocky and confident moment.  It encompasses the high of drugs, a mean sex game (again), and ample money.  In the process, the rapper never seems fazed about his objectification (“I’m all up in her mouth like a cavity”) or murder for that matter (“I put some bodies up under the ground”). Brief follow up “Outta Time” doesn’t expand the script. More girls and money. Yawn.

“Scrape”

✓ “Scrape” provides some reinvigoration, in the druggiest way possible.

“Scrape it out the pot when I cook it...
Bakin’ is all you heard, whippin’ cocaine up is all you heard…”

This reminisces back to DS2.  That isn’t to say that “Scrape” matches the likes of “Thought It Was a Drought,” but it fits the druggy vibe that somehow made that LP endearing.

“I’m so Groovy” is indeed groovy, living up to its name.  Otherwise, it’s predictable. “Might as Well” benefits from its production, adding some tender piano to the mix to balance out the familiar bag of tricks.  Had Future added more variance to his flow and changed the inflection of his voice more – like the middle of the second verse – “Might as Well” might be more distinct.  The hook is catchy.  “Poppin’ Tags” reveals its card before it begins.  Ultimately, more the same from Future for better or for worse.  “Massage in My Room,” like “Tags” is dessert.  Clearly, this is a sex track.  Future has plenty of money, can buy anything he wants, and can have any girl he wants.  It’s shallow, but a catalyst for head nodding regardless (“I got 20 freaks in my room!”).

“Flip”

“Flip” has its moments, with a personal favorite hailing from the hook: “We got papers, flip my stones, it ain’t no clouds.” The final two songs bring more to the table than most.  ✓ “When I Was Broke” is about loyalty, with Future asserting, “She ain’t leave when I was broke.” On ✓ “Feds Did a Sweep,” he discusses the many friends he’s lost, whether its murder or incarceration for drugs and weapons. “Feds” paints an interesting picture about the street life and the gargantuan risks of hustling.

Final Thoughts 

Ultimately, Future has its moments, but this is by no means his best album.  At times, it feels as he’s merely mumbling BS.  The best moments are when he’s (1) easier to decipher and (2) when the production and songs have some variance.  Too many times the songs run into each other, sounding the same.  On DS2, he focused on a particular sound, but the records were distinct and there was more substance – no pun intended.  Another issue is the lack of features.  To reiterate, at 17 tracks deep, this is a little too much Future.

✓ Gems: “Rent Money,” “Zoom,” “Mask Off,” “Scrape,” “When I Was Broke” & “Feds Did a Sweep”

Future • Future • Epic • Release: 2.17.17

 Photo Credit: Epic