Yarchini's Review of Future's Debut Album Pluto

Background:
Atlanta's own Future (cousin of Rico Wade from the Dungeon Family) who known for drowning himself in auto-tune while making bangers is dropping his debut album on April 17th (the first "trap" debut since Waka Flocka Flame's 2010 Flockaveli). While he's been making music since the early 00's his he gained notice in 2011 for being "featured" on YC's Racks. From the Racks' fame he hopped into 2011 with a hook America knew and one of the best mixtapes, Dirty Sprite. Pack with ATL hits like Old Hundreds, Watch This, and Yeah Yeah Future made his mark. Now, Future isn't a lyrical monster or a fast spitter, but he knows how to craft a song and write a hook. After seeing hit after hit (Same Damn Time, Magic, Ain't No Way Around It) it's easy to see this. However, this album comes at an odd time. After releasing six solo mixtapes & a group project with Gucci Mane, Future is ready to release his album, Pluto just three months after his most popular and recent mixtape, Astronaut Status (Two million views of Livemixtapes). Future was never a complete "trapper" like a Gucci Mane, but nor was he the go-to hook guy like Roscoe Dash. Future combines both aspects to promote a "new" sub-genre now known as "Pop Trap." His styles switch from All I Drink Is Lean (trap) to Lil Mexico Lingo (pop rap) or Greatest Show On Earth (trap) to Made Myself A Boss (pop trap). Even though this as been done before with artists such as Yung L.A. & J-Money no one has ever been put into the position to drop an album. With Future stating the album would be "75% melody & 25% rapping" fans had no idea what to expect.

Review:
The album opens up with a smooth intro voiced by Society of Soul's Big Rube. With a beat that sounds straight off of Big Boi's 2010 album Big Rube speaks on Earth and of course Pluto! This intro sets the subject matter, but not really the mood for the album. With having three songs released on previous projects (Magic, Tony Montana, & Same Damn Time) fans may be iffy about going into the album, but this shouldn't be a problem. Pluto varies in sounds from the hard hitting Long Live The Pimp (feat. Trae) to a slow heart-warming Permanent Scar. With lines such as "And they ain't comin' back home, they in a cemetery" or "My lil' cousin caught a body, and he's still fightin'" how can one not feel Future's lyrics? Now the slower songs are easily the better part of this album. Future's hook game, ad-libs, and "swag" leave the listener bobbing their head. Potential hits appear on this album one after the other. The bass hitting Neva End, the beautiful Truth Gonna Hurt You, the smooth Turn On The Lights, and the Nard & B's produced Straight Up prove this. That's not to say the harder "trap" songs aren't enjoyable too. On I'm Trippin (feat. Juicy J) Future switches up his flow and "blacksout" while being the first since Juicy J's return (2010) to have a better verse than him (Juicy J). Even on Homicide (feat. Snoop Dogg) Future is still able to create a hook and surprisingly Snoop Dogg delivers one of his best verses in years. Now, the weaker tracks aren't even bad, but are definitely filler compared to the rest of the album. Parachute (feat. R. Kelly) has a hard hitting beat, a catchy hook, and one of the best R&B artists ever, but nothing can make up for the horrid lines. "You can always call on me, Apple Phone" and "I got your attitude in Venus, I got you ready to catch my semen," ruin the whole vibe. Astronaut Chick like Parachute (feat. R. Kelly) has a wonderful hook, but doesn't hold up to the other slow songs. It's just average all around aside from the hook. The album ends with a well deserved boast track. Future feels he deserves being "here" because he's "Paid his dues and never lost his cool"

Final Thoughts:
Pluto is a solid album with few flaws from flows to awkward lines, yet it's very accessible. Whether you're a fan of Easter Pink or Deeper Than The Ocean you'll love this album. Every hook is instantly memorized from one listen. With the only main fault being that the bonus tracks are actually bonus tracks. This is easily the best hip hop album this year, and one of the if not the best debut since Flockaveli. Future promotes and borderline creates a sub-genre.

Score:
8.5/10