Vince Staples
Cry Baby
*** out of *****
The first release from Vince Staples as an independent artist finds him pushing barriers, blending genres and experimenting with a sense of freedom on the politically charged Cry Baby. Staples rages against America's societal inequalities and institutional racism while rhyming and rebelling, describing the sorry current state of society in his understated vocal fashion.
Working with a few different producers, Banshee the Great, Joseph Harrison, Mike Hector, Oh Gosh Leotus, Saint Mino, Staples also self-produced giving the album a murky feel with digital flourishes and big beats. Staples vocal style remains relative calm, bordering on detached and aloof, which, at times makes for an odd combination with the politically charged lyrics.
The digital synths and bumping electro beats hit from the start as "Black Marmalade" tackles racially motivated mass shootings that happen all too frequently in this country. The chanting track has a feel of a politically influenced Outkast vibe with its potency and power. The bumping continues for "Go! Go! Gorilla" which deals with police brutality, racism, and a failing society in general.
Staples best offering here is "White Flag", a track loaded with deep bass and great percussion shaking speakers behind Staples disaffected vocals addressing white America's love of black hip hop, but racism when it comes to black Americans in general. Working best when things are direct, "The Big Bad Wolf" continues these themes while also sampling Slick Rick, these problems are not new.
Two more extended tracks flirt more with a rock format. "TV Guide" tackles the appeal, and brainwashing of television news as well as fame in general using distorted riffs and thin slapping beats while "Only In America" deals with violence, lies and more around a new wave inspired bass line, backing vocals and synths. Both are interesting genre mashups, but run on too long with one idea, never fully taking off in inspiring directions.
Better are the dance beats paired with a plea for forgiveness that propels "Do You Know The Devil" and "Cotton" which uses an almost disco beat and live instrumentation to again combine a dance ready grooves around spiritually questioning lyrics and restrained rhyming. The album closes with the slow marching "7 In The Morning" which uses exasperated vocals to denounce war from all sides as Staples never shies away from large topics.
Vince Staples is tuned into what ails us and he dissects America's woes on a transitional work. Cry Baby proves Staples will follow the muse where it takes him, speaking his mind if you like it or not.
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