Rank: 3.5/5
There are a few things you can count on in life: death, taxes and a new Future mixtape every January. He knows his fans, and they are never without new music from him and praise him for it.
This time, he’s come through with “Purple Reign” to follow September’s “What a Time to Be Alive,” a highly successful joint project with Drake.
What’s evident on “Purple Reign” from the first 808 boom is the production. As usual, DJ Esco and Metro Boomin have created hard-hitting trap beats perfect for Future’s hazy, drug-induced delivery.
The opening track, “All Right,” has what is probably the best production on the mixtape. Despite it’s ridiculously short length, it’s the best “Purple Reign” has to offer, and the most in line with what fans expect from Future. It even features a small Drake cameo.
The tape is full of production-driven highlights, including “Wicked,” a typical Metro Boomin hood masterpiece and “Inside The Mattress,” Future’s version of a feel-good track.
“All Right” and “Wicked” in particular need to be bumped at maximum capacity in the car, whether you’re on your way to McDonald’s or church.
“Purple Reign” covers Future’s usual subject matter: trapping, promethazine, partying, women and designer products. There are still those critics who will complain about not being able to understand what Future is saying, but they should pack up and go home at this point.
It’s trap music. You’re not supposed to understand it. You’re supposed to vibe to it, and “Purple Reign” is perfect for that.
If he’s hard for you to understand, just know that Future is practically a poet laureate.
He shows glimpses of retro Future with his flows on the tape, which some newer fans haven’t taken to, much to the chagrin of older fans.
However, fans both new and old united to troll his baby mama Ciara and her boyfriend, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, on Instagram with purple umbrella emojis. “Purple Reign” just so happened to drop on the day that Ciara’s beau and his Seahawks faced the Carolina Panthers. The Seahawks lost, by the way.
Still, “Purple Reign” is a showcase of what Future does well despite it not being his best work. He’s an expert at making atmospheric trap music, and this tape reaffirms that.
While “Purple Reign” certainly doesn’t reach the greatness of “DS2” or “56 Nights,” it shouldn’t be expected to. It’s a true mixtape, not an album masquerading as one.
For turning up though, “Purple Reign,” like much of Future’s catalog, will do just fine.