Vince Staples - FM!

Vince Staples is a California-based MC that for quite some time now has been quite a heavy hitter in modern Hip-Hop.  Whether it be his gritty "Hell Can Wait" EP or his Dark and Cinematic "Summertime 06', between heavy production, booming beats, and charismatic performances Vince became a damn star.  And then we have last years "Big Fish Theory", which showed Vince work with bigger producers and a bigger list of guests to make a more concise but equally hard-hitting album.  Now, excuse me if I seem like I'm taken off guard here, but I didn't expect this album, especially so soon.  Let's talk about it!

( A personal favorite of mine!)

This “blink and you’ll miss it” album starts off with “Feels Like Summer” featuring Ty Dolla $ign, and Vince wastes not a second introducing this album.  It’s actually really done well though, and it’s legitimately really fun.  Now, this is a little bit of a brighter and more energetic beat than we’re used to hearing from Vince.  But he sounds smooth as hell and legitimately fantastic.  His flow is smooth and brings up a lot of the same sort of Politically-tinged lyrics and life talk.  But it’s so smooth, and my GOD Ty Dolla $ign sounds incredible on this hook.  This intro is amazing.  On the other hand, “Outside” is a little bit colder and genuinely chilly.  But Vince continues to sound just so charismatic and grimy.  Like, his verses over the years have just got more and more cutting.  Not this may be one of the catchiest tracks from Vince that I’ve heard in some time, and it’s obviously much more straightforward.  I mean, if you’re a fan of Vince’s larger than life projects, this may blow right past you.  But if you’re into hearing Vince in exciting and small doses this is great.  The beats on this album continue to be absolutely chilling with “Don’t Get Chipped”, despite how genuinely fun some of these bars are.  Also, some of the production is seriously grimy man.   Lyrically, I do feel like Vince isn’t doing anything too wild or different.  And Jay Rock’s chorus is average at best.  But still, this is a short, intense and energetic performance from Vince.  Now, “Relay” is so much more in Vince’s ballpark.  This beat isn’t super chilly, but it’s super dark and cinematic.  Hell, I fel like this would have ended up nicely on “Summertime 06”.  This hook is just so hypnotic, and his flow here is just so smooth.  Like, it’s not as energetic and bouncy as it usually it, but he has such a cool vibe to his verses.  There’s almost an old-school Gangsta Rap sound to it, and it just comes off so good. 

Now, this album is really short.  That’s not a problem but it’s something you’ll want to keep in mind, and it has tons of little skits.  Take for example “New EarlSweatshirt (Interlude)”, featuring Where’s Waldo champion of 2018 Earl Sweatshirt.  No, really, where the fuck is the album Earl?   Now, this may be a 20-second interlude, but just hearing Earl spit on this intense beat is GREAT.  Then we have “Run the Bands”, armed with a very eerie and dreary beat.  The atmosphere continues to be a huge selling point here, and yes, this album in a big way has taken a turn for the dark.  But honestly, this one may be my least favorite track of the bunch.  This chorus is just so repetitive, and it’s far from the best one here.  Vince’s performance is just fine.  But nothing about this is nearly as memorable and sticky as other tracks here.  Now, at the very least, “Fun!” is actually pretty fun.  The beat is a blast, and I love the chorus here as Vince and E-40 just sound like two regular guys that really do just want to have some fun.  I mean yea, Vince chucks that all out the wind with Pistol-wielding verses.  But this track is a blast and sticks with the feel of so many tracks here.  “No Bleedin” continues with just how seriously hypnotic and dark this is in parts.  Little details like the sound effects and heavy production make this one really pop.  But Vince's very grim lyrics continue to be blood-soaked and violent, and honestly really exciting.  This may not be the wildest track, and Kamaiyah’s performance is easily one of the most forgettable guest spots here, but this is still packed with adrenaline. 

Then we get a few more intermissions of sorts, none of them are really good either.  First, we have “Brand New Tyga” and OH GOD.  IT”S HAPPENING.  TYGA IS COMING THROUGH MY HEADPHONES.  MAKE IT STOP.  I DON”T CARE THAT THIS IS LESS THAN A MINUTE.  IT’S TOO MUCH.  Now, where was I?   Oh, yea!  The "(562) 453-9382” isn’t that much better, to be honest.  You know, this album is really entertaining and fun, but this just wasn’t needed.  This album ends off with “Tweakin”, and as a finale, I feel like it works so well.  I love just how dreary and dreamy this one is, it reminds me of some of the eeriest moments of “Summertime 06’”.  Even Vince’s performance here is just so dreary and depressive, I can’t help but love it.   And Kehlani’s hook is just so damn catchy and haunting, she ends up having wonderful chemistry with Vince. 

Rating: 7.8/10

Give A Listen To: “Feels Like Summer”, “Relay”, “Fun!”, “Tweakin” 

Least Favorite Track: “Run The Bands”

Genre: Hip Hop / Alternative Rap

Overall Thoughts:  Vince Staples with “FM!” doesn’t do anything too wild or different.  Hell, I would barely even call this an “album”.  But for me, in 22 minutes Vince really just refreshes my memory of just what he can do.  The production is quirky and often fun, his guests, for the most part, click wonderfully, and most of all, Vince’s flow has never sounded this effortless.  I mean, yea, some of the skits are a little goofy and maybe not 100% necessary.  But man, Vince got my mouth watering for whenever he DOES drop his next full-length album.