The Weekly Coos

Future’s last album, I Never Liked You, left me feeling tepid, and the Metro Boomin album was a fun, expansive vibe that showcased more of what we heard from his curated soundtrack for Across The Spider-Verse; when the two started teasing a new album with tweets and photos of themselves working in the studio, it’s safe to say the hype was amassing. In the past, the two have delivered some significant and memorable works of the 2010s, like Future’s mixtape, Monster, and album Dirty Sprite 2 (DS2); thus, that lingering feeling another banger is on the way, though that isn’t so with We Don’t Trust You. It doesn’t have the gravitas of the former two, as only one of the two artists is consistently trying front to back. That isn’t to discredit Future, who shines quite a few times as a writer; he just tends to sleepwalk more than he does not, and part of that comes from being too comfortable within a sonic zone. Metro Boomin and his co-producers effortlessly craft unique moments into the beats that you’re bound to get some highs from Future; unfortunately, it still left me wanting more.

On We Don’t Trust You, Future establishes his position without swaying fully from the conceptual turns that relate to what got established with the first three tracks—“We Don’t Trust You,” “Young Metro,” and “Ice Attack,” the former two being a jab and re-establishment of status as he doesn’t lament on the downs. His intriguing turn adds depth to many tracks as you hear Future and Metro Boomin’ balancing tracks that deliver much of what you’d expect but with sheer bravado, except for more poppy records, like that of “Wait 4 U” off I Never Liked You. The closest to it is the track “Type Shit,” though it retains a level of grit and uniqueness that stands on its own without being detractors of the album’s flow, even if the former is weaker and more comical. It helps that Future and Metro Boomin have a one-track mind that pushes them through some of the rudimentary paths and keeps them focused on delivering hard moments that say more than what they say on the surface. It’s potently so with “Like That,” where Future and Kendrick Lamar come at Drake (and J. Cole, too, for the latter) as Kendrick feels the stance established with “Control” in 2013 hasn’t moved. 

We Don’t Trust You doesn’t mince words and takes to heart the sentiments of the title’s phrase. Future comes with a different mindset from the previous album, and we get more grounded street-level influence guiding the writing. Though a fire hasn’t fully ignited in Future, something is lingering within, and we get these dense and tightly constructed songs that offer more than just the same diatribe verses as before. That’s me cutting loose as Future retreads slight familiarity with his flexes; fortunately, Metro Boomin’s production is an elevating presence as it knows how to tweak it to fit Future’s cadence while having some uniqueness. From notions of dealing cocaine and other drugs in “Cinderella” to an introspective look at time and its importance in relationships in “Runnin’ Outta Time,” before coming at you with a lamentable focus on being high off someone he can’t see the faults on “Fried (She A Vibe).” Future showcases a duality, with much of that focus deriding on emotions emanating from a lack of trust while also relaying a lifestyle where trust isn’t as important. It makes the switches from songs with different conjectures feel more natural instead of stagnant jumps.

The biggest drawback of We Don’t Trust You is Future’s flows. He sleepwalks through some songs as his flows aren’t as creative and follow a similar construct to what has been heard before. It makes taking another journey with Future feel more chore-ish as a fan instead of something to look forward to, and having the built-up hype as they played coy with the release through social media, and images of working hard in the studio, it doesn’t land as one would expect. Comparatively, it is a mild disappointment because the first track, and some subsequent others, show what could have been if Future had more interest in being different instead of trying to go through the motions, which, for the most part, comes from tracks that deviate from the emotional core of tracks like “Like That,” “Ice Attack,” “Everyday Hustle,” “Seen It All,” and “Slimed In.” “Claustrophobic,” “Ain’t No Love,” “GTA,” “Young Metro,” and “Fried (She A Vibe)” are glaring ones where the former is the only one that has enough for me to like it, even when the latter have solid production. These contrast the first set of examples, as they shine due to Future existing modestly distinctive with his approach.

Though Future remains inconsistent, Metro Boomin and his co-producers buoy enough ingenuity to make tailor-made Future beats feel new and refreshing. Though it may not all feel that way, it isn’t hard to hear how elevated it is comparatively, especially with some intriguing samples and his use of synths on tracks like “Ice Attack” and “Fried (She A Vibe).” It’s a drum-heavy composition that never takes command and allows its budding companions to build a presence around the core of the beat, like Zaytoven’s lavish piano playing on “Runnin’ Outta Time.” It’s the main reason the album stays afloat through some lesser moments that may come as hit or miss for many. Some may like the eerie, minimally dronish, and sleepish delivery of “GTA” due to its immersive beat, but some may not because it feels like Future isn’t taking full advantage. Those are the standards that have gotten set through previous albums, but at least the sleepwalking doesn’t fully deter one from the outcome because the collision of the two offers something that will have some traction.

I was modestly disappointed by We Don’t Trust You; that is a fact, but that doesn’t negate the fun and intrigue that came about along the way. It has something to say, which is a rarity these days with Future, and he makes the most of it, even if the production teeters within his comfort zone. We get some hard-hitting tracks and some forgettable ones, but as you round the bases, there is enough to return to; hell, I know I will be, but that’s the state of Hip-Hop in the mainstream—consistency for the sake of but never too adventurous to try something new. Maybe Future does so in the future, but for now, sit back and enjoy what was made, as it does leave you mildly hungry for the follow-up.