Introduction to Future’s ‘I Never Liked You’ Album
Future is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in hip-hop and trap music today. With a decade-plus career and catalog of platinum hits, he has cemented his status as a rap superstar. Now, he’s back with his highly anticipated 9th studio album, ‘I Never Liked You.’
Released on April 29, 2022, ‘I Never Liked You’ arrives just two years after Future’s previous chart-topping album ‘High Off Life.’ The new album caps off a big moment for Future, coinciding with a major GQ feature including a glamorous photoshoot and in-depth profile. The GQ piece dives into Future’s backstory and musical legacy, providing context for the release of his latest ambitious album project.
With guest appearances from hip-hop A-listers like Drake and Kanye West, plus rising stars like Tems, ‘I Never Liked You’ looks primed to be another milestone release in Future’s prolific discography. Fans are eager to hear how he continues to push trap forward and deliver his signature honest, vulnerable lyricism.
Album Release Date
Future’s highly anticipated ninth studio album I Never Liked You was officially released on April 29, 2022. This marks the prolific Atlanta rapper’s first full-length project in nearly two years, following up his massively successful 2020 album High Off Life.
I Never Liked You arrives after months of buzz and speculation from fans eager to hear new music from Future. Singles like "Worst Day" and "Keep It Burnin" had already previewed the album’s hard-hitting trap sound. Now the full 16-track album is available, with additional deluxe tracks expanding it to 21 total songs.
‘I Never Liked You’ Album Tracklist
The standard version of ‘I Never Liked You’ contains 16 tracks and runs for nearly an hour. The tracklist features a star-studded lineup of featured artists joining Future, including some of the biggest names in hip hop today.
Here is the full tracklist for the standard version of the album:
- "712PM"
- "I’m Dat N****"
- "Keep It Burnin" (feat. Kanye West)
- "For a Nut" (feat. Gunna & Young Thug)
- "Puffin On Zootiez"
- "Gold Stacks"
- "Wait For U" (feat. Drake & Tems)
- "Love You Better"
- "Massaging Me"
- "Chickens" (feat. EST Gee)
- "We Jus Woke Up" (feat. Young Thug)
- "Shotclock"
- "I’m On One" (feat. Drake)
- "I Never Liked You"
- "Holy Ghost"
- "Trillionaire" (feat. YoungBoy Never Broke Again)
The biggest collaborations on the album come from Drake, Kanye West, Young Thug, Gunna, and Tems. Drake is featured on the tracks "Wait For U" and "I’m On One," while Kanye West guests on "Keep It Burnin." Young Thug joins Future on "For a Nut" and "We Jus Woke Up," and Gunna also features on "For a Nut." British singer Tems delivers the hook on "Wait For U" alongside Drake. These high-profile features add extra star power to the album.
Album Reviews and Reception
‘I Never Liked You’ has received generally positive reviews from major music publications upon its release.
Rolling Stone praised the album’s production and Future’s charismatic performance, stating: "The production, by ATL Jacob, DJ Esco and others, surrounds Future with icy keyboards and rattling 808s. His vocal presence remains casually magnetic, floating over beats instead of aggressively attacking them." They gave the album 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Pitchfork highlighted the album’s introspective themes and vulnerability from Future, writing: "For an artist who has so consistently rendered himself an enigma, “I Never Liked You” is a portrait of brutal honesty, capturing Esco at his most confident and self-effacing." They rated the album a 7.5 out of 10.
The album is projected to earn over 150,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, putting it on track to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. This would continue Future’s streak of #1 albums.
Early projections have ‘I Never Liked You’ becoming Future’s 8th consecutive platinum album, showing that his music continues to resonate with fans.
Standout Tracks and Hit Singles
"Wait For U" featuring Drake and Tems has emerged as one of the biggest hit singles from the album so far. The smooth R&B jam showcases Future’s vulnerable side as he sings about longing for an ex-lover. Meanwhile, Drake delivers one of his catchiest hooks in years. The song has already racked up over 100 million streams on Spotify.
Fans and critics have also singled out "Keep It Burnin’" as an album standout. Over a bouncy beat, Future reminisces on his come-up in the rap game. The song’s anthemic energy makes it perfect for live performances and it’s already become a fan favorite.
"Worst Day" is another highlight, with Future reflecting on relationship troubles over a moody piano-driven instrumental. According to Chart Data, it’s well on its way to becoming Future’s next platinum single.
Several of the deeper album cuts have also gotten praise, especially "Love You Better" featuring Young Thug which blends pop and hip-hop. "Chickens" with EST Gee has a menacing trap sound that shows Future’s roots. Clearly the album is packed with diverse tracks that all showcase Future’s talent.
Notable Collaborations on ‘I Never Liked You’
Future collaborated with several high-profile artists on the new album, most notably Drake, Kanye West, and rising star Tems. These features showcase Future’s range and ability to mesh well with different styles.
The Drake collaboration on "Wait For U" is a smooth R&B-tinged track that has already become one of the most popular songs on the album. Drake and Future have a long history of successful joint tracks like "Jumpman" and "Life is Good," and their chemistry is on full display here. "Wait For U" has a catchy chorus from Drake and slick verses from Future about trying to win over a love interest.
The Kanye West feature on "Keep It Burnin" is a harder-hitting club-ready anthem. Kanye and Future are both pioneers of trap music, so this collaboration is special for longtime fans. Kanye’s verse touches on themes of paranoia and jealousy over a thumping beat. The song also interpolates Kanye’s hit "Flashing Lights," showing his influence over the track.
Perhaps the most unique collaboration is with rising Nigerian-British singer Tems on "Wait For U." Tems lends her sultry vocals to the poppy chorus, while Future raps about showering a lover with gifts and devotion. This crossover collaboration shows Future’s versatility and introduces Tems to a wider American audience.
By including these high-wattage features, Future assembles an all-star cast for his new album. The collaborations provide fresh flavors and showcase Future’s talent alongside some of the biggest names in music. Each artist brings their own style to compliment Future’s signature sound.
How To Listen To ‘I Never Liked You’
Future has made it easy for fans to listen to his new album ‘I Never Liked You’ across a variety of platforms.
You can listen to the full album via Future’s official YouTube channel here:
The album is also available on all major streaming platforms:
So whether you prefer streaming or downloading, you’ll be able to listen to the new Future album across your platform of choice.
Future’s Rap Legacy and What’s Next
Future has cemented himself as one of the most influential rappers and pioneers of trap music over the last decade. With a career spanning over 10 years, he has consistently pushed the boundaries of hip-hop with his distinct vocal style, introspective lyrics, and fusion of rap with other genres.
The Atlanta rapper is credited with helping popularize the use of Auto-Tune and blurring the lines between rapping and singing. This innovative vocal approach has shaped the sound of modern hip-hop and inspired countless artists coming up today. Beyond his technical innovations, Future’s vulnerable songwriting has also impacted the culture and expanded the emotional range of mainstream rap.
In addition to his solo work, Future has collaborated with many top artists and lent his talents to some of the biggest hits in recent years. His features on tracks like "Low Life," "Jumpman," and "Life Is Good" showcase his versatility. As a featured artist alone, Future has over 100 Billboard Hot 100 entries.
With the release of his latest album, Future has proven he still has much left to say. Given his prolific output and tireless work ethic, fans can likely expect even more new music soon. The rapper has hinted at upcoming projects with frequent collaborators like Drake and Young Thug.
Beyond music, Future’s Freebandz label and other business ventures highlight his savvy as an entrepreneur. As his career progresses, Future seems focused on building his portfolio as both an artist and mogul. However, it’s his indelible influence on hip-hop that ensures his legacy is already cemented.
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Conclusion
Future’s new album ‘I Never Liked You’ shows the Atlanta rapper continuing to push his creative boundaries. While not every track may be an instant hit, the album expands on Future’s signature trap sound with soulful melodies and introspective lyrics. Standout collaborations with Drake, Kanye West and rising star Tems showcase Future’s ear for talent and ability to adapt his style.
Reviews indicate ‘I Never Liked You’ will be another commercial success for Future, cementing his status as one of the most influential rappers of his generation. However, the album’s more vulnerable themes suggest Future may be entering a new phase focused more on artistic growth than chart dominance. Either way, ‘I Never Liked You’ proves Future remains a dynamic, prolific artist even after nearly a decade in the spotlight. Fans eagerly await what he’ll deliver next.