Vince Staples Traces The End And The Beginning In New Album 'Dark Times'

The name of Vince Staples’ eighth studio album only came to the Long Beach Native when the recording process was done, and the body of work lay ready to be christened.

Naturally, the name came to him when the darkening images and the shade were noticed to be prominent occurrences throughout the project. The Dark Times was here.

Staples’ latest body of work follows the critically acclaimed album Ramona Park Broke My Heart, released in 2022. RPBMH is a conceptual and vivid listening experience that explores home and the stylistic nuances of West Coast rap.

With only a week's notice, before dropping Dark Times, the intro to the album ‘Close Yours Eyes And Swing’ feels like Vince is setting himself up without the pressure and expectation which can be built from anticipation. He’s free from all of that.

Smoothly transitioning into ‘Black and Blue’ you are jotted out of the serenity by thundering percussion and dissonant electronic elements, with the additional turn-table sweeps adding a nostalgic feel. Languid in his flow, Vince is a mixture of paranoia, pessimistic and weariness as he experiences the intensity of his life.

Composed of piano chords ‘Government Cheese’ allows a space for Vince’s voice to exist in a mummer, relaxed and soft he goes the conversationalist route exploring survivor guilt whilst also encouraging you to keep seeing the good in the bad times. ‘Children’s Song’ follows the theme as he reminiscences on the past.

Wry and melancholic, ‘Shame on the Devil’ sees Staples step further into the internal as he charts his relatable experiences of young adulthood. Growing apart from friends, and reluctant responsibilities, he raps “If I don’t do it who does.

Changing the tempo to the enjoyable and catchy ‘Etouffee’ opens up part two of the project. Etouffee is a Cajun shellfish or chicken strew – a nod to Vince’s familial ties to Louisiana and the South through his grandmother.

But it is also translated to the French word for smothered. Implying a need to breathe and Vince’s need to express his artistic independence from the restraints of the label.

Calling the project “a personal achievement,” Staples said, “it’s me mastering some things I’ve tried before that I wasn’t great at in the beginning. It’s a testament to musical growth, song structure—all the good stuff.” 

in an aesthetic project concerned with locating meaning in the inevitable realities that trap us.

A snippet of a conversation between Nikki Giovanni and novelist James Baldwin is reworked into ‘Liars’ reframing the album. Giovanni pleads to be lied to by her loved ones, “fake it with me” she tells Baldwin.

Leading into ‘Justin’ an old hip-hop offering that highlights Vince’s ability as an engaging storyteller. He walks us through a romantic experience he was caught up in – an explanation for his distrust in women.

Whilst ‘Radio’ is a return to the good times Vince explores the power of music and how he uses it to document impressionable moments in his life. He raps “Wasn't really tryna hear it, 'til she kicked me to the curb/ Now it's Smokey Robinson and after that I play Roberta Flack Etta James and Amy, waitin' for the day she take me back / Michael and his brothers, make me wonder 'bout who lovin' you / Brandy understand me, broken-hearted."

Vince explores his hurt, confusion and vulnerability in response to a breakup as he addresses his ex-love interest on this Lauryn Hill-inspired ‘Nothing Matters’. Before experimenting with electronic elements as he reassures people to keep going in the tough times on 'Little Homies’.

Coming to a close with ‘Freeman’ you hear deep basslines and percussion, as Vince reflects on ten years in the industry and updates us on what’s the latest with him. He mentions his Netflix series The Vince Staples Show, as the importance of representation and giving back to the community.

‘Why Won’t The Sun Come Out’ is a beautiful way to end the project, a recorded voice attempts to make sense of the creative process, and the need for connection. Piano rifts play us out alongside the singing of the birds.

Released via Blacksmith Records / Def Jam Recordings, this is Vince’s last Ded Jam album.

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