EVOL
by Future
  • Record Label: Epic
  • Release Date: Feb 6, 2016
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Feb 29, 2016
    85
    EVOL is one of if not the best project Future has under his name, and while it may not feel as grandiose and capital I Important as DS2 in his legacy, it pushes his sound forward while he continues to stretch himself as an MC, songwriter, and lyricist.
  2. Consequence
    Feb 10, 2016
    83
    It’s an extraordinary triumph of ambitious trap soundscapes and an excellent complement for a driven artist, a man no longer inhibited by loss. With every passing release, Future grows more confident, and more callous.
  3. Clash Music
    Feb 19, 2016
    80
    Again Future marshals the glittering soundscapes expertly, his tuneful flow reining in the beats while imbuing all the fragility, heartsickness and aggression that make it the most impressive instrument in rap right now.
  5. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Feb 18, 2016
    80
    The production is slick and striking, even when it fades to black (“Xanny Family”) or gets tangled up in layered hi-hats (“Program”)--these tracks sound equally as engaged and provocative as anything on last year’s masterful DS2.
  6. XXL
    Feb 10, 2016
    80
    EVOL is only the latest building block on one of the most impressive runs from any rapper we’ve seen, and Future shows no signs of slowing down for anything.
  7. Spin
    Feb 10, 2016
    80
    EVOL, along with the Purple Reign mixtape, doesn’t provide that instant hit that Future’s world-class 2015 was so full of. Instead it crawls into your brain and makes itself at home; you’ll find yourself going back to it over and over without even realizing.
  8. Pitchfork
    Feb 11, 2016
    73
    It's billed as something of a minor release (in the same way What a Time to Be Alive was minor but they still wanted your money for it), but it's still an "official" one, meaning Future swings for a few radio hits here. They feel more obligatory than outright bad.
  9. The Line of Best Fit
    Feb 16, 2016
    70
    Odds are Future will drop another project or five between now and the end of the calendar year, so while EVOL is ultimately dispensable it’s still a pretty good time.
  10. The 405
    Feb 9, 2016
    70
    His intensity is consistent and his affinity for recognizing his fans favor is respectable. He doesn’t change things up much sonically, which is a welcomed critique.
  11. Billboard.com
    Feb 9, 2016
    70
    EVOL doesn’t break any rules or set many new ones, but as the latest in a seemingly never-ending series of wonders Future and his team wield in their creation of druggy, downcast afterparty dispatches, it is a joy.
  12. RapReviews.com
    Feb 9, 2016
    65
    While EVOL seems to be more consistent than "Purple Reign," it doesn't quite hold up to his previous releases. EVOL leaves you wanting more but not in a good way.

Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Most Discussed Album of 2016

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 112 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 112
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 112
  3. Negative: 23 out of 112
  1. thaleslucas
    Feb 9, 2016
    5
    I think these consecutive releases by Future with 2 albums and 5 mixtapes are getting tiresome. D2D and EVOL don't have much difference inI think these consecutive releases by Future with 2 albums and 5 mixtapes are getting tiresome. D2D and EVOL don't have much difference in instrumental and lyrical and this is becoming cloying.

    Clearly the best tracks of this album are Low Life (with the wonderful The Weeknd), Fly **** Only and Photo Copied. The album seems to be more of an exploitative and sexual outburst Future about his former relationship with Ciara ... I may be wrong, but it is what it seems.

    Anyway... I hope he'll take a break with these extensive releases to develop more well thought out and useful projects.    … Full Review »
  2. WinkDiggy
    Feb 16, 2016
    10
    Future has elevated the trap genre to a new level and established a distinct sound with Metro Booming and Southside. EVOL is a great counterFuture has elevated the trap genre to a new level and established a distinct sound with Metro Booming and Southside. EVOL is a great counter to DS2 and shows how he can be dynamic and consistent at the SAME DAMN TIME.… Full Review »
  3. T-rodney
    Feb 10, 2016
    7
    Evol came out of nowhere and I have to say this was a nice surprise from Future.The album starts off the the track Ain't no Time which was oneEvol came out of nowhere and I have to say this was a nice surprise from Future.The album starts off the the track Ain't no Time which was one of the best tracks on Evol,the album remains consistent but then dips a bit with the tracks Photo copied and Seven rings which weren't bad tracks but not as good as the other with some over repetitive lyrics.
    The album then picks up with the track Lie to me which was the best song in this album(fun and energetic trap song),from here the album finishes off well and again I have to praise Future on his consistency there was no bad track in this album though the album really lacked some street banger songs future has been known for like F_ck up some commas and Move that dope.Not sure if Evol is better than Dirty Sprite 2 because really Evol felt like a well produced Mixtape rather than an Album,but this album is cleary from a man in form that is making some fun and enjoyable music which makes is great for us too.
    The best tracks are Ain't no time,Lie to me,Low life feat The Weeknd and Fly Sh*t only.As I said there are no bad songs in this album but Xanny Family,Photo copied and Seven rings are the weaker tracks.
    So Evol is a good,entertaining,fun trap album Future has made and Future fans and probably non future fans will enjoy this,this album has nothing deep that his previous albums have contained but that doesn't stop Evol with some Good production and an inspired Future,Clearly not his best album but definitely a good album in it's own right.    … Full Review »
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