Review: ‘MIXTAPE PLUTO’ gives you sound fatigue

By Charlie Cruz     9/25/24 12:12am

Key Track: SKI

Rating: ★★★

Future returns with “MIXTAPE PLUTO,” a project that feels stuck in a cycle of repetitive sounds and uninspired energy, despite being primed to dominate the charts. 

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This Atlanta heavyweight, whose presence in hip-hop has been undeniable since his debut, needs no introduction. After dropping back-to-back diss albums aimed at Drake — “We Don’t Trust You” and “We Still Don’t Trust You” — fans were eager to see what he would deliver next. 

Instead, we’re met with sound fatigue, where track after track blends into a monotonous blur. Yet, even with this mediocrity, the mixtape is poised to soar commercially, raising the question: Has Future’s influence allowed him to thrive on familiarity rather than innovation?

Future’s influence on modern hip-hop cannot be overstated. He’s the architect behind the “mumble rap” movement, pioneering the genre with his signature use of trap beats and autotune. His relentless output has cemented him as a hip-hop legend, consistently churning out projects that shape the sound of the industry. 

But just because he works fast doesn’t mean the quality always follows. “MIXTAPE PLUTO” is a testament to this. What is the best way to describe it? Cheap ear candy. Like fast food for your ears, it hits the spot in the moment, but you’re left with a hollow feeling afterward, craving something more substantial and lasting.

“MIXTAPE PLUTO” starts on a high note, offering two standout tracks that feel like classic Future. “LIL DEMON” kicks things off with a menacing trap anthem, reminding us why Future has been a staple in the genre for so long. His signature adlibs and infectious melodies are on full display, crafting a hook that sinks deep and riding the ominous beat like only he can. The track screams Future, pulling you in with raw energy and grit. 

Then comes “SKI,” a track with undeniable flow and high-octane energy that practically demands to be blasted at full volume. This one’s a certified crowd-pleaser, showcasing a Future that’s still very much in touch with his ability to craft bangers. At this point, I was hooked — ready for the mixtape to take me on a ride. Then, unfortunately, I heard “PLUTOSKI.”

“PLUTOSKI” embodies everything old-heads despise about Future’s music. Nearly half the track is just him saying “eh” — I’m not kidding. If the album is a fast food meal, this song is the soggy fries at the bottom of the bag, forgotten and unappealing. Sure, credit where it’s due: Future has a way of making even tracks like this somewhat bearable with his charisma alone, but that’s not enough to save it. There’s no clever wordplay, the adlibs feel half-hearted and the mixing was so awful I almost gave up on the project. This song doesn’t just miss the mark — it reinforces every criticism the genre’s purists have about where hip-hop is headed.

Despite growing frustration, I wanted to give the project a fair chance, hoping it might have a hidden gem to redeem itself. But as the tracks dragged on, the project only sank deeper into a pattern of mediocrity, compounded by some of the worst production choices I’ve heard recently. I cannot overstate this: the mixing on this mixtape is terrible. It seems like a deliberate attempt to mimic the gritty sound of early 2000s CD mixtapes — a bad attempt. 

“OCEAN” is a prime example, with a beat so overpowering it drowns out Future’s vocals entirely. There were moments when I genuinely hoped this was the wrong version, and it’s a shame because the track is solid. With better mixing, “OCEAN” could’ve been a standout track, but it’s buried under its poor production.

When I reached the final tracks, I wasn’t just disappointed — I was fatigued. Future has shown us repeatedly that he’s capable of delivering projects that push the envelope and set trends. But “MIXTAPE PLUTO”? It feels like Future was trying to check off his third release of the year with little care for the quality of the end product. It raises the question: Is Future becoming a one-trick pony? Sure, he has his sound, but I wonder how long he can coast on it when it feels more like a formula than genuine artistry. Yet, I know this album will sell, which makes this so frustrating — it feels like a missed opportunity. 

Future has the potential to push hip-hop further, innovate and deliver something fresh and boundary-pushing. Instead, he’s content to rest on his laurels. I came into this mixtape wanting to love it and expecting to be impressed, but in the end, it left me feeling hollow and unsatisfied.

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