Dark Times – Vince Staples
01. Close Your Eyes and Swing
02. Black&Blue
04. Children’s Song
05. Shame On The Devil
06. Étouffée
07. Liars
08. Justin
09. “Radio”
10. Nothing Matters
11. Little Homies
12. Freeman
13. Why Won’t the Sun Come Out?
This project is for hood cats who made it out the hood but frequently visit. This got a vibe to it that I really rock with. This sounds like a less white targeted but still festival relevant version of him. This is Vince Staples rapping on soulful hood beats, like the music that would play when the main character realizes the hood aint for him or his people anymore. Hes matching this vibe too with a very calm but smooth delivery. Allot of harmonizing, catchy hooks, and him honestly showing his range as an artist. The content is dark, but has allot of hopefulness to it, and honestly allot about just his life, his hood, and his career. His flow, delivery and cadence while slowed down is very smooth and extremely in the pocket throughout. Radio might be the best way to summarize this album in a song. Pacing is an experience, the ambiance, and all just hit on this one. He showed hes a veteran that can switch it up, and not sacrifice himself. In rotation.
Project: 8.5/10 || Art: 3/10 – John D.