Dark Times by Vince Staples | Album Review
Californian rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor dropped his 6th studio album Dark Times.
Listen to Dark Times:
It’s been 2 years since Vince released his 5th studio album, Ramona Park Broke My Heart, making it his longest break between albums in 3 years. Building on his self-titled 2021 album, Vince’s last record maintained the pop-rap and soft trap production style.
The latter part of his career, starting from 2021 with his self-titled album, has been the absolute opposite of what we know Vince for. Since the experimental Big Fish Theory and FM, which were released way before 2021, Vince has explored bumpy, experimental, and hard-hitting sounds that were fading away more and more, as Vince’s career progressed.
When I reflected on Vince’s previous record, Ramona Park Broke My Heart, it just didn’t click for me. Coming from a grand discovery on the self-titled, the latter album simply struggled to surprise you or present something new. It felt like the overextension of an already finished project, giving you the package of songs that he could not put up together earlier.
Both albums gave their focus on similar production styles, namely West Coast Hip Hop. On the Ramona Park Broke My Heart, Vince focused more on the pop-rap instrumental, rather than the soft trap one, making it an almost unnoticeable switch.
From those records, we already felt what and how Vince was going through the loss of his brother and other downsides in his life, demonstrating his scars to the public.
Despite Ramona Park Broke My Heart being kind of stale progress for Vince, it still further explored some topics that the rapper has not mentioned yet. I believe that this was a significant moment for Vince to speak out, shedding light on darker times and a gradual transition to the next stage of his career.
What specific next stage am I referring to?
The title of Dark Times accurately captures the essence of the sound presented in the project. Vince combines the aesthetic of West Coast hip-hop from previous records and blends it with smooth jazz instrumentals, resulting in a striking and energetic boom-bap delivery.
With the presence of the Dark Times in his catalog, it feels like a great addition to the missing puzzle from previous records.
Specifically speaking, the rapper continues to display fearlessness by discussing his scars introspectively, showing vulnerability and empathy.
I think what makes a big difference for me is production. Vince’s decision to change his production style from Pop Rap/Trap to Boom Bap and Jazz Rap, incorporating elements of house music, was a brilliant move.
This way, his delivery sounds more memorable and more targeted. His storytelling on this album is remarkable. It feels like he is actually sharing his story with you, creating a fully immersive experience.
Throughout most of the record, you hear an impressive pen work from Vince. Whether it is a heartbreaking lie, uncertainty about his achievements, or questioning his existence, Vince nails it. With every bar backed by dynamic and dark production, his statement resonates powerfully.
The record doesn’t simply feel like maturation, but also a big development in production, lyrics, and memorability. It is not only about catchy tunes here, but about some that will age gracefully as you go through life.
The more you get to know Vince about the discography, the more you realize that his music is relatable. He is also mortal. He accepts his humbleness and struggles with the issues that we assume millionaires should not be having. This accessibility aids the listener to be in sync with Vince and his music.
To sum it up, this is my favorite record from Vince since Big Fish Theory. This album provided everything that was missing in his last two projects. As a fan, it’s an incredible feeling to see your artist succeed and grow.
Life hard, but I go harder
FINAL RATING: 8.2/10
FAVORITE TRACKS: “Black&Blue”, “Shame On The Devil”, “Ètouffèe”
LEAST FAVORITE TRACK: “Freeman”
Scores guideline:
0–2 (dramatically bad)
2.1–4.5 (bad)
4.6–6 (mediocre/mid)
6.1–6.9 (Ok)
7–7.5 (good)
7.6–8.6 (great)
8.7–9.9 (amazing)
10 (perfect)
