The trap mogul Future collides with the trap torchbearer Lil Uzi Vert, bringing playful attitudes for their entwined fans to enjoy.
Since 2012, Future has set out to convince fans he is not from this planet. His debut album was memorably titled Pluto, a nickname the ATLien has beared to this day. At the peak of Future’s career emerged Lil Uzi Vert, injecting a fresh, melodic sound into the trap scene. It is clear Uzi Vert takes inspiration from Future, openly adopting the name Baby Pluto around the release of his previous 2020 releases, Eternal Atake and its successor Lil Uzi Vert vs. the World. Future has kept busy this year as well, delivering High Off Life, one of his strongest releases of his lengthy tenure. Despite the cavity in their debuts, Pluto x Baby Pluto is a collaboration that makes complete sense.
Pluto x Baby Pluto may not be one for the history books, but its playful energy and the duo’s chemistry is consistently engaging, even if Future carries the project.
Both artists posses a vibrancy that lifts Pluto x Baby Pluto more than your average trap rapper. The established voices of Future and Lil Uzi Vert are enough to make the most of casual production, which is enough to satisfy the ear of a fine-tuned trap listener. There are very few opportunities for a worldwide hit here, yet there are no intolerable moments either. A pair such as Future and Uzi are effortlessly able to add colour to songs.
Future and Uzi do not overthink anything. There is a blatant realisation that there is no need to be meticulous. The natural process of having fun in the studio is what provides the best moments of Pluto x Baby Pluto. It channels through the hooks of songs like “Stripes Like Burberry”, “Drankin N Smokin” and the hypnotic “Marni on Me”. The duo exchange flows and lines like a game of table tennis, and we are the spectators attending to be thoroughly entertained.
For the most part, it is Future who occupies Uzi’s comfort zones. A bulk of the production could have easily been leftovers from LUV vs. the World 2. Despite this disadvantage, Future still manages to outshine Uzi on nearly every opportunity. Soon as Uzi Vert delivers a commendable performance, the Atlantan enters to multiply the charisma, adlibs and sheer ridiculousness in his bars. Regardless, a high level of chemistry between the duo is still evident.
Moments that are not skippable but not striking are scattered here and there. “Real Baby Pluto” is wholly reliant on Future’s tone. “That’s It” features the most bland production of the record, and is not helped by the non-existent hook either. And “She Never Been to Pluto” drowns in the sea of Uzi-tailored tracks.
The album ends on a strong note with the trio of tracks “I Don’t Wanna Break Up”, “Bankroll”, and “Moment of Clarity”. The former song brags a solid hook by Uzi, and is complimented superbly by Future’s entry. The latter capitalises on the Eastern tinges trap beats have been incorporating recently to leave an impressive impression on the listener.
No signs of a trap revolution are in sight on Pluto x Baby Pluto. But Future and Lil Uzi Vert make up for it with their vibrant performances, chemistry and simply setting out to have fun, and the fun can most certainly be heard.
Rating: 7.5 / 10
Favourite tracks: “Moment of Clarity”, “Drankin N Smokin”, “I Don’t Wanna Break Up”, “Lullaby”, “Stripes Like Burberry”
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Mic Cheque 