#64 - Vince Staples - Vince Staples REVIEW

Listen on: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / YouTube

Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

(Go to 0:49 to skip the intro)

What has always gravitated me to Vince Staples, is that he is frank.

Vince is so frank in the way he paints his life in Long Beach, describing harrowing street experiences with a cold bluntness that has defined his music to-date.

These blunt observations were often layered over loud abrasive production, or lively west-coast instrumentals that emphasized Vince's charisma and ability to ride the beat in a very catchy way.

With Vince's latest self-titled effort though, the usual formulas in a Vince release have been adjusted.

... And for that reason, VINCE STAPLES was easily one of the most unmemorable first listens of a highly anticipated album that I can remember.

I think the very lowkey nature of the album took a lot of getting used to, but eventually I can say that I think this approach brought something new out of Vince lyrically that I did like, yet limited an existing strong trait of his as well.

With Kenny Beats, I think this move to subtly took his typical vibrant energy and trapped it in a box.

The subtle grooves, melodies and samples only uncovered themselves on many listens… taking trips is great, lil fade has a really dope synth loop that I thought was super fresh

What I think Vince loses from this more subtle approach is that the highly animated delivery from Vince that I always have loved, which is now restrained and less present.

RMPP Preferred Cut: "ARE YOU WITH THAT?"

Stream Vince Staples here.