EVOL

Released just a month after his mixtape Purple Reign, Evol is 2016's surprise album from rapper Future, although it's the streaming age's version of what used to be called a "street release," meaning it isn't a "major" entry in the artist's discography. The LP feels like it, too, as there are no great strides forward artistically or tracks designed to take over radio, but when it comes to the infectious trap rap that the MC has been dominating for the past year or so, Evol is as good as Purple Reign and features no filler. The production is glorious the whole way through with Metro Boomin and Southside offering plenty of cutting-edge and darker-than-usual trap beats, while the Weeknd is the album's only guest artist, appearing on the highlight "Low Life." ~ David Jeffries

• Genre: Rap
• Format: Vinyl
• Released: 05/20/2016