Review Summary: Fly shit only
No one in hip-hip right now has a stronger work ethic than Future. Since the start of 2015, the Atlanta-bred trap rap sensation hasn't gone more than four months without releasing new material. Despite the freakish speed in which he's churned out new material of late, the quality of these projects have been fairly consistent as he continues to display a knack for making solid, moody trap records. His latest project, EVOL- which already his second release of 2016 following January's Purple Reign mixtape- sees Future taking his well-established niche to soaring new heights.
If you have previous experience with Future's music, EVOL is pretty much what you'd except from him. The production, once again primarily handled by his two frequent collaborators Metro Boomin and Southside, is dark and hazy, the lyrics are filled with references to codeine and molly, and his notorious Auto-Tune-enhanced delivery is as gruff as ever. What EVOL lacks in innovation, it makes up for in execution. This record marks the first time Future has been able to string together a cohesive set of songs without losing his way for at least part of the record. While his previous best projects (2015's 56 Nights and DS2) weren't without their awe-inspiring highlights, they featured a number of dull tracks filled with lifeless rapping and piss-poor hooks. On EVOL, Future finally reverses that troubling trend by crafting an album full of lively songs with consistently fluid rapping and rock-solid hooks. Future works his through an even-split of earth-shaking bangers ("Seven Rings", "Photo Copied", "Program") and dreary, atmospheric ballads ("Xanny Family", "Lie to Me", "Fly *** Only") with equal proficiency and a renewed energy on the mic. After putting out so many consecutive top-heavy releases, it's beyond refreshing to see him put a complete collection of quality songs that improves upon the flaws with his proven formula without abandoning it entirely. EVOL is the mark of an artist that understands his strengths and in turn, used them to advance his songwriting skills to the next level.
While the strength of the production and hooks will be the primary reason it receives praise from his fans, EVOL's surprising emotional impact is what truly makes it a standout release for the trap genre. Future is no stranger to making subtle references to his depression, self-doubt and commitment issues in his music, but this album marks the first time where his emotional pain has been brought to the forefront of music. "Lil Haiti Baby" sees him examining how torn he is about living an opulent lifestyle when most of the people he grew up with live in poverty while "Low Life" discuss how his selfishness and proneness to infidelity has caused every single one of his meaningful romantic relationships to fall apart. Although these messages are sometimes buried beneath his love of codeine and exotic cars, the vulnerability and transparency Future displays on EVOL is remarkable, and will force the listener to view the opulent, drug-and-sex-fueled lifestyle he regularly boasts about in an entirely new light.
EVOL is the first truly essential release Future has put forth in his brief yet highly active career to-date. Every flash of potential he's shown in the past has been fully realized here and it makes for a gritty, honest record that packs a consistently strong punch from start to finish. Some fans have called for Future to take it easy after putting out two LP's and four mixtapes in a 14-month period, but if he continues to put out material that's as polished and triumphant as EVOL, there won't be any reason to slow down his unprecedented output of new music anytime soon.
