Vince Staples (Standard Vinyl)

アメリカ・カリフォルニア出身のラッパー:Vince Staplesの2021年に発売された4枚目のスタジオ・アルバムのブラック・ヴァイナル。

Turning inward on his most introspective outing to date, rapper Vince Staples delivers another potent burst of lyrical storytelling on his self-titled fourth effort. Like 2018s quick shot FM!, Vince Staples only needs 22 minutes to get the job done, packing a short autobiographys worth of tales into ten tracks that revisit his younger, lawless days in North Long Beach. Produced entirely by Kenny Beats, this trip down memory lane is deceptively catchy, revealing layer after layer as the beats hit deeper and simple melodies combine to create a laid-back vibe that entrances like a sunset over languid waves. Falling somewhere between Frank Oceans relaxed but soothing early work and Kendrick Lamars technically proficient street tales, Vince Staples navigates the paranoia and anxiety, sex and violence, and the struggle of street survival, all set to Kenny Beats languid and oddly soothing backing. Highlight ARE YOU WITH THAT? encapsulates the projects entire thesis, providing insight into Staples past atop distorted carnival-like atmospherics. Other standouts include the midtempo SUNDOWN TOWN, the cracking TAKING TRIPS, and the hypnotic, guitar-strumming TAKE ME HOME with R&B singer Foushee lending vocals on the chorus. Though the set feels somewhat sleepy upon first listen, repeat visits reward listeners with Staples depth and wit, cementing Vince Staples as a simple yet focused statement from one of the West Coasts most relevant voices. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

US西海岸のドープなラッパーによる約3年ぶりの4作目は自身の名をタイトルに冠していることからもわかる通り、自分自身について綴ったパーソナルな内容に。淡々と紡がれていくヴィンスのラップにフォーカスすべく客演も最小限。前作でも手を組んだケニー・ビーツが中心となって全曲を手掛けており、全体に統一感を生みつつ、さまざまな楽器の音色を採り入れることで各曲に彩りを加えている。
bounce (C) Masso 187um