AutoTune is so, like, 2008. The distorted, machinated vocal technique favoured by trickster rappers like T-Pain surely peaked with Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreak album of that year.
So why does Future feel the need to computerise his voice on nearly every song of his hyped second album?
The answerbecomes clear after a few listens to Honest: Future - real name Nayvadius D Wilburn - isn't a great rapper.
The Atlanta rapper is consistently outshone by his guests: Drake's silky confidence completely owns him on Never Satisfied, Andre 3000 steals the show on Benz Friendz with his kooky carnival hooks, Wiz Khalifa chews through the scenery on My Momma and when Kanye West turns up on the mellow boasts of I Won, it nails the point home.
Left to his own devices, Future falls back on his overused bag of AutoTune tricks, like Sh!t's silly swagger, T-Shirt's barely listenable robotic thuds and the overblown monstrosity Blood, Sweat, Tears.
Honest does have two things going for it: I Be U's crisp and cruisy 4am antics, and Move That Dope, a stunner that will surely be ranked among the year's best rap songs. Why? Because of Pusha T and Pharrell's fiery, frenzied guest spots.
See? Even when Future's great, it's because of others.
