Vince Staples – Dark Times (Album Review)

Vince Staples effectively guides us through “Dark Times” in this fantastic 13-track project.

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TOP 5

5. Nothing Matters

There are some genuinely great lines scattered throughout “Nothing Matters,” but my favorite has to be when Vince Staples says, “Cause every moment we share feels like a Polaroid / Sometimes you gotta shake it up to see what’s really there.” That’s real as s**t.

The track itself also has this peaceful, almost weightless atmosphere that makes it easy to sink into. Still, the standout for me is Vince’s hook. It feels comforting, nostalgic, and ridiculously smooth all at once.

4. Little Homies

There aren’t many songs on this album built to make you move, but “Little Homies” absolutely breaks that mold. The production has this upbeat, quirky bounce that feels heavily inspired by Kaytranada, while the hook lands as both motivational and insanely catchy. The whole track carries an energy that feels alive from start to finish. Lyrically, Vince Staples sounds caught between nostalgia for the hood and the desire to completely distance himself from it. I’m proud to announce that I cannot relate to that kind of power struggle.

3. Étouffée

The bounce that Vince Staples raps with on “Étouffée” instantly makes the track stand out. Even as he reflects on the tears he’s shed, his rise, the people in his neighborhood he’s inspired, and the doubters he’s proven wrong, he still sounds energized and confident throughout. That energy peaks on the hook, where Vince sounds fully locked in.

Overall, “Étouffée” might be the tastiest, most flavorful track on the project.

2. Shame On The Devil

On “Shame On The Devil,” Vince Staples taps into a more introspective side, reflecting on love, broken trust with friends, ambition, and his focus on financial growth. The song eventually shifts into a spiritual space as he asks the Lord for forgiveness. Sonically, the track flows beautifully, especially with the haunting interplay between Vince and Baby Rose. The overall tone strongly echoes the atmosphere of Ramona Park Broke My Heart.

1. Black&Blue

“Black&Blue” is easily the strongest track on the album for me. The production hits with a soulful weight that feels both raw and polished, while still keeping that hard-hitting edge. The chorus is simple but hypnotic, the kind that locks into your head without trying too hard.

As for the verses, Vince switches between sporadic flows that keep the track unpredictable and engaging, especially as he reflects on feeling empty despite money and fame. Everything comes together in a way that feels effortlessly replayable.

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. Close Your Eyes & Swing (N/A)

2. Black&Blue (5/5)

3. Government Cheese (4/5)

4. Children’s Song (4/5)

5. Shame On The Devil (5/5)

6. Etouffee (4.5/5)

7. Liars (N/A)

8. Justin (4.5/5)

9. “Radio” (4/5)

10. Nothing Matters (4.5/5)

11. Little Homies (4.5/5)

12. Freeman (4.5/5)

13. Why Won’t The Sun Come Out (N/A)

RGM RATING

(89%)

It’s official: This album deserves number 1 on Apple Music’s top 100 albums list.

Yes, I’m being sarcastic in that first paragraph, but at the same time, I do think this album is very good. In it, we get a deeply introspective and honest version of Vince Staples, who understands his strengths and weaknesses as a black man from the hood with a bit of clout. He also talks his s**t often, reminding us that he still has a bit of a killer inside him. Though I think Vince is usually funny as hell, ain’t s**t funny in this project, and that’s word to Cam Thomas.

As impressive as Vince Staples’s lyrics are on this project, the sonic experience is equally remarkable. Though Dark Times does have its somber vibes, they are presented in very exciting ways. Mainly using a laid-back tone, Vince delivers some very fulfilling choruses, exciting flows, and powerful words. Also, many beats are multi-layered and punchy enough to keep your attention. All in all, with this project, Vince proves he’s the best on this planet at meshing a laid-back style with exciting background elements.

Vince Staples should be protected at all costs.

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