Dark Times is the sixth album from Long Beach rapper, Vince Staples. Being a native of Long Beach myself, it’s awesome that my hometown has so much representation in the music world. I haven’t heard the rest of Vince’s albums, but I’m going to definitely give them a listen now that I’ve reviewed this album.
We open the album with the track, “Black&Blue,” which has a laidback guitar instrumental and a simple drum rhythm on the production side. Lyrically, Vince talks about growing up in poverty and gang violence, which isn’t an unfamiliar topic for him, as he talks about it on many songs including a favorite of mine, “Norf Norf.” I also like the shoutouts to deceased rappers like Tupac and Nipsey Hussle, and the line he adds at the end of verse 2, “Put ‘em inside of a rhyme, hopin’ they live on.” I like the production on this track, and the reverbed vocals throughout the track. A solid start.
Following that, we have the track, “Government Cheese,” has religious undertones and incredibly vivid lyrics from Vince. I like the line about aging, “Running through these bank notes, stressing as the waves roll by. Keep my fade low, I can’t let the grays grow.” The production is very stripped back with a beautiful piano loop over a simple drum beat. I also that he raps about one of his friends who is in prison, and the guilt he feels that he’s successful while his friend is incarcerated. The chorus of “don’t forget to smile,” seems almost sarcastic as the song is incredibly depressing.
“Children’s Song,” has more laidback guitar loops as well as drums from a production standpoint, and is on the shorter side at 2 minutes and 13 seconds. I like the ignorance is bliss reference, and I feel it ties into “Government Cheese,” quite well, whether intended or not.One of my favorite tracks on the record, “Shame On The Devil,” features Vince’s smooth rhyme schemes over a relaxing guitar loop and West Coast style drum pattern. I like how Vince talks about his flaws, whether its being unfaithful to his girlfriend or personal conflicts with friends, he allows himself to be incredibly vulnerable on this track, and it’s when he’s at his best. The religious themes incorporated in this track is also appreciated. I interpret the track as him discussing his shortcomings as being his personal devils, while asking God for not only forgiveness for his sins, but the strength to overcome his mistakes.
Next is the track, “Étoufée,” where he raps about how he’s lost friends whether it be through their deaths, or personal conflict. He also talks about his frustration over some fans not enjoying his work after his 2017 album, Big Fish Theory. I like the melodic chorus from Vince and his verses, as well as the low-key electric piano instrumental and engaging drum rhythm. After a brief interlude, we get the track, “Justin,” where he tells his story about a girl who stole his heart, but who ended up already being with another man. He talks about the pain he felt from that, and the very relatable heartbreak. It’s brief but memorable. “Radio,” has a phenomenal beat with that glitchy synth loop, and I like what Vince raps about in his verses, whether it be him being nostalgic for the days of listening to the radio as a kid, or how he broke a woman’s heart, and felt immense guilt and heartache, as a result. Him making music is a way for him to put his feelings into art, while listening to it is his way of personal healing.
“Nothing Matters,” is a wonderful track with mournful pianos and echoey synths in the instrumental, and tight, concise flows from Vince. “The band plays on like it’s supposed to. Follow suit, because it ain’t nothing new. Beneath the solar systems of oppression got me aloof.” His lyrics feel almost nihilistic, and I like the beautiful outro sung by Maddy Davis. “Little Homies,” has an uptempo beat and gentle synth bells in the mix, instrumentally. Lyrically, Vince talks about gang violence and police who abuse their power. It almost sounds like a bit of a house track, at some points, and the “life hard but I go harder,” chorus is incredibly catchy. I also like his analogies. “Freeman,” has some nice 808s from the production standpoint, as well as a funky bass riff. The beat makes me feel like I’m in a dream, and Vince’s verses feature great wordplay and rhyme schemes. Finally we finish off the album with the track, “Why Won’t the Sun Come Out?,” The atmospheric synths paired with the spoken word segment from singer Santigold, creates an esoteric experience. It serves as a great outro track to the album.
Dark Times is a very dark and engaging album, and while overall, I like the older tracks I’ve listened to of Vince’s more, this is by no means a weak record. I like the dark world Vince paints with his lyrics, and I love the gloomy and depressing sound of the production, it’s not the best rap album that I’ve heard this year but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I recommend it to any hip hop fan that wants to be up to date with the newest rap albums, and to those who haven’t heard Vince Staples’ music before. A strong record.
Overall Score: 8/10
Favorite Tracks: “Children’s Song,” “Shame on the Devil,” “Étoufée,” “Radio,” “Nothing Matters,” “Little Homies”
Least Favorite Tracks: “Black&Blue”
Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdnvb9THbRo
Genres: West Coast Hip Hop