SuppliedFuture is an artist whose classification as a pop, hip-hop, and R&B artist has significantly undervalued his artistic talents and contributions to modern music.
The bias against artists in this genre, especially when intersected with race is an issue for another day, but it is likely also the reason for Future’s mass-production habits (he’s released at least two projects per year since 2011). Keeping with this impressive pace, he recently dropped two albums in two weeks, the diverse, self-titled Future and the sonically homogenous but emotionally balanced HNDRXX. This type of excessive output within a short period would typically hurt most artists, but as a new breed of eclectic artists such as Future and Young Thug have shown, the opposite seems to be the case.
Future
Future
A1, Freebandz, Epic Records
https://freebandz.com/
My initial reaction to Future was disappointment; Future’s inability to be inventive with his sound felt stale and repetitive. Certain tracks felt like inferior versions of previously superb songs from his discography, for example, “Zoom” sounds like a slowed down “Where Ya At.” After repeat listens however, my mind began to change as I realized these copy-cat characteristics carry a bit of self-awareness with them. Rightly self-titled, Future is a collage of all the various musical personalities and styles of Future the artist. The resulting convolution is effective as Future’s main topic is himself, allowing his humanity to shine through the chaos.
Despite a general monotony to the production — he utilizes his go-to group of producers Metro Boomin, Southside, Zaytoven, and Tarentino throughout — Future is able to make the experience on most tracks still feel unique. Glimpses of melancholy show up to balance the pervading ego on the album with cutting lines like “My guillotine, drank promethazine.” Future’s inventive use of visual narration, using techniques like enjambments and intensely lucid narration, is also present for much of the album.
Regarding the production, the variety of instruments and sounds help bring some needed diversity, from the use of xylophone chimes on “Zoom” to the oriental flute music on “Mask Off.” The drum patterns are monotonous, but this is not unusual with Future.
Future is a successful display of Future, the artist, but with sprinklings of Nayvadius, the man. It is not going to top highlights from his deep discography but its honesty, ambition and effectiveness shine.
Future
HNDRXX
A1, Freebandz, Epic Records
https://freebandz.com/
Released seven days after the release of Future, HNDRXX is equally ambitious in with goals — but in a different direction. Future strips down the emotional walls he built up on previously guarded releases like DS2 and Beast Mode, and offers listeners insight into the man behind the menacing music. People have been quick to compare HNDRXX to 2014’s ill received Honest, but this album sees Future emerging from his dark, emotional well while Honest shows him wallowing and enjoying the process of love.
The album opens up strong in the emotional core, with personal songs touching on his relationship woes, baby mama drama and more distasteful Ciara bashing (“Even if I hit you once, you part of my collection”).
While he spends the early parts of the album airing out grievances and emotional hurt on songs like “Use Me” and “Coming Out Strong,” he also finds the maturity to be reflective and aware of his faults. The track “I Thank U” is an honest appreciation of his former partner and mother of his child, Ciara, and one of the best tracks on the album — which is undoubtedly a breath of fresh air, as the despicable shaming and bashing of Ciara is equally stupid and stale.
Ultimately, not all tracks on the album are successful but once again Future’s ambition is apparent. He is constantly showing himself to be an honest artist committed to showing his truth, no matter how ugly at times. Both albums have me excited for his next phase, which knowing Future, he won’t make us wait long for.
