What clinches this EP is its audacity. In an era of hyper-public black death, Vince Staples builds his case against our society not by detailing how these deaths occur, but by describing a tragic life, one that’s so unsatisfying that death is its zenith.
Dude’s got unlimited weapons in his arsenal, and every single outing seems to showcase another thing or two we didn’t know he was capable of before.
On his brief new EP, Prima Donna, Staples continues to refine his musical aesthetic, while honing his already-sharp lyricism.
Pushing his versatility, ear for production, and lyricism in new directions, Vince Staples' hot streak continues.
Prima Donna is an essential snapshot of 2016 that bears witness to the evolution of an artist coming into his own with an unflinching, socially conscious perspective.
Even though it’s a brisk seven songs, it lingers as the best pieces of writing tend to do.
In a climate that’s indifferent if not completely averse towards innovation and forward thinking, Vince Staples is poised, unassuming and focused on leaving an indelible mark. Having gone so far as to disavow his past conventional modules that fans swoon over, Prima Donna is his most challenging work to date.
Staples approaches the latest chapters of his story on Prima Donna in bleak fashion, his pen and delivery both as sharp as ever.
Vince has always had a foot in the realm of experimental sound but Prima Donna sounds like his cannonball into that sonic space.
Even as the varying and experimental production choices shift radically, Staples's lyrics remain focused on the gangbanging, violence, and poverty of his oppressive youth.
Prima Donna bristles with paranoia, anxiety, depression and anger about racism, violence, the music industry and his own psychological state.
The music is as bleep-y as it is banging (James Blake produces on two tracks) and touchstones include Andre 3000, James Joyce, Leonardo DiVinci and Jay Gatsby.
With little room for error vince does a damn good job.
1. War Ready 10/10 π
2. Smile 6.5/10 β
3. Loco 9/10 π₯
4. Prima Donna 7.5/10
5. Pimp Hand 8/10
6. Big Time 9/10 π₯
I put off listening to this album for like a year after getting into vince staples because the cover creeps me out lol
1 | Let It Shine 0:41 | 54 |
2 | War Ready 2:35 | 76 |
3 | Smile 4:20 | 68 |
4 | Loco 4:18 feat. Kilo Kish | 76 |
5 | Prima Donna 3:30 feat. A$AP Rocky | 80 |
6 | Pimp Hand 2:49 | 73 |
7 | Big Time 3:31 | 74 |
#10 | / | Salon |
#13 | / | Passion of the Weiss |
#42 | / | Pitchfork |
#76 | / | Noisey |