Listen to Future, “News Or Somthn”

Last spring, Future dropped Honest, his second studio album. It was met by mixed reviews from fans and critics, many of whom felt the Atlanta rapper had mitigated his talents by making a record that played to the Clear Channel middle. Later in 2014, that rejection was compounded by a split from fiancee Ciara, with whom he had just welcomed a son into the world. Instead of--or maybe in addition to--holing up somewhere, Future turned the strife into a near-unfathomable string of mixtapes. It started with the fall's Metro Boomin-helmed Monster and bled into the new year with the Zaytoven-produced Beast Mode and DJ Esco collaboration 56 Nights. Today (June 22), he foregoes the cover art altogether, dropping a new song called "News Or Somthn." It's laid back, contemplative and it's full of grim reapers and road trips across Texas. Future remains one of hip-hop's most gifted vocalists, flitting back and forth from dead-eyed exposition to wide, emotive shouts. Like everything he touches lately, it's a tour de force.