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Recess reviews: Future's self-titled album

<p>Future's eponymous album only resonates with his core fan base, alienating casual listeners.&nbsp;</p>

Future's eponymous album only resonates with his core fan base, alienating casual listeners. 

Future continues to forge his legacy in the trap subgenre with his release of a self-titled album. “FUTURE” is the trap king’s attempt to solidify his claim to the trap throne as he explores a range of themes that speak to the potential for Future’s diversity as a trap artist.

For instance, “Mask Off” tells the story of the trapper’s transition from drug dealing into a legitimate career in music. The song details a metaphorical mask coming on and off, revealing a sensitive, vulnerable Future to the audience. However, this comes with the ever-present of misogynoir in his lyrics. It features the daring addition of a flute melody sampled from Tommy Butler’s “Prison Song” featuring Carlton Williams. This is a strange—and yet pleasant—feature of the song that makes it worth the listen. “Feds Did a Sweep” continues in the vein of a vulnerable Future as he details losing friends to incarceration. The track comes after “When I Was Broke,” a backhanded ode to a significant other. In contrast, “Scrape” and “I’m So Groovy” are up-tempo songs with beats that will lighten a mood at any party. This is also at the expense of perpetuating disrespectful, sexist ideas into a pleasant social space. As a result, any woman committed to the preservation of her dignity will find herself squirming at each song.

Aside from Future’s chauvinism, the rest of the album bores Future’s casual listeners. Drawn in by catchy hooks from past albums, these listeners will find that the new album tirelessly drags on. Every song will melt into each other until the listener realizes that the album is nearly over. For this reason, “FUTURE” will only resonate with the trapper’s core fan base. This is not surprising since all of Future’s signature elements are present in the new album. The trademark, auto-tuned voice returns to glide over synthesized trap beats with snappy melodies and rhythms. This is unfortunate as the highly anticipated release happens to be a lackluster addition to a large collection of fiery club hits. Even with noteworthy production by Metro Boomin’, “FUTURE” ultimately dissatisfies.

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