Vince Staples - Dark Times ALBUM REVIEW

Listen: • Vince Staples - Black&...
Dark Times' thematic and emotional focus is impressive.
More rap reviews: • Hip Hop Reviews
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Patreon: / theneedledrop
Official site: theneedledrop.com
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Team: Jeremy - Lead Edits / Anthony - Final Cuts / Austen - Proofing, Posting
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FAV TRACKS: BLACK&BLUE, GOVERNMENT CHEESE, CHILDREN'S SONG, ÉTOUFFÉE, JUSTIN, RADIO, LITTLE HOMIES
LEAST FAV TRACK: SHAME ON THE DEVIL
VINCE STAPLES - DARK TIMES / 2024 / BLACKSMITH / ALTERNATIVE HIP HOP
8/10 www.theneedledrop.com/loved-l...
Y'all know this is just my opinion, right?

[@lati_3]

So brave of Fantano to finally turn off his lights, I see he’s no longer afraid of the monsters under his bed!

[@jm6406]

I’ll show him a real monster under his bed

[@SrTacoman]

Melon is actually friends with the monster under his bed

[@trishula-8037]

he found out the monster was in his pants, the whole time !

[@Burnoff_]

Even though will not TURN ON THE LIGHTS due to being afraid of the MONSTERs. He will be SO APPALLED if he sees a monster who looks like a DEVIL IN A NEW DRESS. He will be so scared he won't do anything but RUNAWAY. Goodness won't it be like a HELL OF A LIFE for him? It will feel as if he's LOST IN THE WORLD. Makes me wonder if life will be so harsh on him and mankind, WHO WILL SURVIVE IN AMERICA?

[@lamarjohnson598]

​@@Burnoff_Im feeling a light to decent 6 on this coment

[@jimmyl27]

0:02 Anthony come on man not during Pride Month

[@ericdillard6335]

Lmao my thoughts exactly

[@mocapcow2933]

That’s why he’s censoring his name. In support of pride month!

[@YourLocalNobody420]

💀

[@Jiiggy-dn8fd]

Bros apart of the LGBTQWXY and Z community tho 💀

[@YourLocalNobody420]

@@Jiiggy-dn8fd haha funny acronym joke

[@alexanderanahata4496]

all jokes aside - i love how much character you’ve been giving this channel recently. keep it up melonhead.

[@sleep6837]

For real! The creative thumbnails and filters and bits with Cal, it's like theneedledrop had a mini renaissance

[@matroxman11]

I’m just happy cal is back

[@socialmediaaccount4206]

It’s to distract us from his subpar and ego driven scores; which 70% of are 6s and 7s. It’s so predictable now and nobody wants to watch an art student with a stick up his ass value his self worth in real time with the integrity in which he grades internet Music projects 🤷‍♂️ I guess these dumb skits are better than throwing a project under the bus every few months to garner the attention of pitchforks and torches of a large fan base like he would do in his hay days. Guys probably 1 more away til everybody just stops watching this live ego critique art and fundamentally value itself. He’s lost all of his credibility and personality as a human being at this point. He is the personification of the phrase ‘analyzing nothing.’

[@ghostspartan81]

that’s the plan

[@meowraiu2]

same man. especially around 2022 and last year, stuff felt a little stale to me, but i still respected anthony's dedication nonetheless. i'm happy he's been doing more creative and stuff for himself and this channel as a long-time fan :)

[@sleep6837]

Vince FINALLY got that flannel

[@peronomuy1441]

I really had to check and Im surprised that the self titled didn't got it (and I saw the review at the time)

[@danielg4854]

should’ve gotten it with self-titled, tony was tripping

[@peronomuy1441]

@@danielg4854 Not only because it's really good (personally its my favorite), but because its concise juust like Melon likes. Really baffled me this info

[@sleep6837]

@@danielg4854 big fish too

[@silasgotsch4458]

@@peronomuy1441 ❤

[@stereoreserve]

Shame on the devil as least favorite song is CRAZY

[@matroxman11]

CRAAAAAAAAAZY

[@Sky-dz1gj]

It was my least fave too 💆🏼 the other ones are just TOO stellar

[@MrBonethugs4lyfe]

Straight up one of my favorite tracks off the album. Not mad at his own opinion or anything, but I'm kinda flabbergasted by it damn

[@karmajaystar13]

Honestly one of my favorite tracks as well

[@2tto.C]

it's good but Black&Blue, Étouffée, Little Homies and "Radio" are better

[@buttermoth5861]

My colorblind ass thought you gave Vince a red flannel 💀

[@CyranoForever101]

Maybe it's time you started seeing race

[@kingvampstan]

@@CyranoForever101 clock that twink

[@kingvampstan]

@@CyranoForever101 end that twink

[@scottiepippen33]

same

[@wojciechsawicki4733]

is it because of the bad lighting?

[@DTheAustralian]

No memes, no bits- following this channel has been so fun this year. It’s been so surprising and exciting with all the thumbnails, guest stars and overall _different_ reviews like this one, it’s been great. Keep it up melon!

[@nomeca961]

Frfr!! I love Melon, always brightens my day :)

[@isaiahromero9861]

I hope he sees this honestly, he deserves more unironic appreciation

[@aidanlindsay9649]

I still expected to see “unsubscribed” at the end of this comment even with you saying no memes. The fantanohead brainrot is real

[@SuperNuclearUnicorn]

Yeah he's been on fire creatively this year. I think it took him a long time to get comfortable with the fame, the hate, the often cringe fanbase, but now he's just doing him and having fun

[@auhsejj]

that Kendrick's DAMN. face looking more scary on the dark

[@lati_3]

he bouta fight cal for saying the f word during pride month

[@HelpMeHelpMePlease]

Imagine waking up from a nightmare and seeing that

[@alexanderanahata4496]

he lookin at drizzy

[@jacksonmaiocco9298]

That synth on Gov Cheese is from Blue Suede!!! Such a cool little detail, Vince is one of the most consistent rappers of the decade imo

[@joseparreno639]

Fantano not mentioning that KILLS ME

[@JgBrzb]

He is hella underrated

[@AndrewWasTakenAgain]

@@joseparreno639 Ikr. That was literally my first thought when I heard those synths! I haven't listened to that song in a while and I still instantly caught it lol

[@BlakeBeamsBroadcasts]

I saw Vince a day after this record came out at Gazebo festival and he did the transition from Gov Cheese straight into Blue Suede. It was expected but by far the dopest part of the set

[@SuperNuclearUnicorn]

I noticed it immediately and wondered if I was going crazy, so I went back to Hell Can Wait and it still slaps as hard as ever

[@renapeppers20]

Bro hitting us with that 2011 lighting

[@miiiiisvibes]

Lmaooo right

[@coastercraziness]

GUYS HE FINALLY GOT AN 8

[@HotStrange]

Is this really the first time he’s given Vince an 8?? My dudes released at least 3 albums that are well over an 8 lol.

[@devinloew7681]

Damn, I gotta not look at the comments before seeing the score. That's actually wild. My highest Vince score on AOTY is Big Fish Theory with an 89 or something like that

[@jakewaltham3895]

​@@HotStrange I've never been more surprised that he didn't love an album than I was with BFT tbh

[@HotStrange]

@@jakewaltham3895 I never knew he wasn’t into it I guess I missed that review. I’m kinda biased as a big Vince fan but I think every album he’s made has been at least very good with like 3 of them being near masterpiece level.

[@thelawsonman]

@@HotStrange yeah lmao, Vince usually get 6s or 7s by Melon.

[@Surfinflea]

vince fans we are so up rn

[@HelpMeHelpMePlease]

We finally got a yellow flannel! WE BIG UPS MAN!

[@excalibruhh]

light 8 BANG

[@Mskiy]

YESSIR 🥳

[@hubbiemid6209]

The lighting of this video reminds me of 2012 TND

[@Neymarinet]

of 2012 WHAT

[@mequana]

​@@NeymarinetTND??? The Needle Drop???

[@kirby7475]

@@NeymarinetYup, 2011 OG here. I think he started the channel around 2009 tho

[@JakeBodenhamer]

Calling Shame on the Devil a low point is wild

[@BobtheX]

Fantano has such strange taste in music I swear

[@spamsingles5948]

It's literally the best song here

[@arninordfjord]

He's either intentionally picking the most popular song as the worst for more engagement or he subconsciously picked it because he's a pretentious contrarian

[@spamsingles5948]

@@arninordfjord Or maybe it's just an opinion

[@jeromewilliams1129]

Right, it's one of the stronger songs on the album

[@tempo6793]

I loved Shame on the Devil from the first teaser for this project. It is one I constantly go back to before listening to the entire album in order.

[@soycervantesjr]

The melancholy tone of it is lowkey comforting. It’s ones of my favorites especially cuz it goes from dark to upbeat with Etouffe next ❤

[@BobtheX]

That and Nothing Matters are my favorites

[@diegomo1413]

Your content has seen a real upgrade this year. Keep it up Mr. F-word 👍

[@Soulkinthehuman]

This was the first Vince Staples album I listened to, and it absolutely blew me away. I knew I would be listening to a personal favorite the moment that transition from the intro to Black-and-Blue hit.

[@Dumbash_]

You NEED to listen to summertime 06 and big fish theory

[@brandonphipps5363]

@@Dumbash_I would do Prima Donna before BFT, I know it’s just an EP but it may be some of his best work

[@monaqvi1326]

Absolutely LOVE this lighting.

[@Christian-97]

It’s surprisingly really relaxing

[@le4chehenry324]

Bisexual lighting

[@strawberryhoney420]

So cozy

[@mauricetoney]

I love the call back to “Blue Suede” on “Government Cheese”!

[@woomy939]

anthony f word? during pride month?

[@user-gn4uk1jv3c]

"pride month" 🤮

[@jarrettstork9883]

It’s probably a play on Anthony Edwards

[@ChadAife]

Relax, don’t be so sensitive about everything. It probably has nothing to do with that but please do be offended if it makes you happy

[@JD-xf5so]

Fuck

[@The1stSamdon]

@@ChadAifeI think he was just joking

[@ottomaticfs8043]

turn the lights on tony

[@Wunderfizz.]

Shame on the devil being your least fav track is criminal. Such a chill song to vibe to

[@chickenmanman]

I loooove this lighting. Wouldn't be mad if you kept it this way

[@Justin_R20]

Nah for real

[@puchu_5001]

definitely, very comfy

[@justin5749]

That lighting is actually phenomenal

[@rsherid]

Please keep this lighting, it’s calming. 😌

[@BareBandit]

One of the most underrated in the mainstream hiphop consciousness

[@gynnyooz0116]

never thought a needledrop video would be this cozy to watch

[@jeffdup8044]

he said shame on the devil had underwhelming songwriting. the same song with the lyrics "tell me who shoot for the shooters? who gon look after medusa?"... insane bar

[@MegaKhalid121]

Even the first verse was super dope with the voices in his head

[@vasilkrastenov3903]

This album finally made me a Vince fan. He's been on my radar for a while but I had never actually sat down and listened to a full project of his until now. I was also able to buy tickets to see him yesterday in Cologne, which I'm really glad I did, especially given that it was only my second time going to an actual concert

[@PasteurizedLettuce]

Big fish theory and summertime 06!

[@jonsmith1956]

In all seriousness, that's cool lighting

[@jeffreying4633]

Vince's development has been crazy to grow up with. Guy just gets better and better

[@eric_stewart]

Nothing Matters is a very underrated track on here apparently and one of my favorites. Sad to see it skipped over in the review

[@evanwaytoolazy]

that chorus is unfortunately very relatable.. why would you tell me that you love me when you dont.

[@renapeppers20]

Bro forgot to pay the bills and had to wrap up the review in the shortest time possible 😭

[@p0werfu11]

Love the energy you're putting onto your channel all these years later.

[@bojken9611]

the synth on government cheese is sampled from blue suede off hell can wait

[@keithkearney8578]

Very cozy video. Thanks Anthony!

[@igor.dog23]

FINALLY

[@Joe-ns4ek]

Vince has actually never let me down. Definitely one of my sleeper picks as a favorite. Loved his last two projects and this one slaps just as much. I’m surprised you gave it what you gave it but it’s actually a good rating. Gonna listen to it again now

[@HappyNBoy]

This album rules. I've mostly listened at night and it kinda puts me to sleep, but in a good way. It's a little bit "lofi beats to study/relax to" with really smart conscious lyrics when I tune back in. I sat down and read along to the lyrics on genius, and I got a whole extra layer of appreciation from it. It's definitely going in my best of the year folder.

[@hibbs1712]

thank you, fantanny. you have let me down in the past but you nailed this one and I, personally, appreciate it. Might come back for some of your reviews, fan tan.

[@alnerique]

The little thumbnail gags and small set piece switches are really nice lately. Thanks for the free goodies, Anthony.

[@HaloSasuke]

KEEP THIS LIGHTING BRO

[@dedepoyer]

Loved the album, Vince is one of the only big artist to be out there speaking about how labels are fucking up with every new artist. Hope he keeps the energy for the next projects

[@domcactus]

Awesome to see you loving this one! It’s quickly becoming my frontrunner for best rap album of the year

[@XxJohnnyGATxX]

Happy my dawg got a good score, I think he deserves it for his current longevity in the game, he's constantly matured and grown with his sound and creative direction

[@bloodhoundsoldier7445]

was the government cheese synths not a blue suede call back/sample? i swore that's what it was not just a general west coast synth line

[@LuminousVeil]

What’s with the sensual lighting Tony?

[@krunamey]

Wow I’ve watched all of this in its entirety already and great video

[@BenBen-l]

i was at his concert yesterday in cologne and it was so cool seeing him perfom those tracks, which just released two weeks ago. Overall it was a great concert, i felt like there was a special connection between the crowd and him

[@ilovecody7514]

Despite the heavy subject matter the production is anything but at times. It has this light, crisp, euphoric quality at times. Super psychedelic and matches really well with the lyricism. While still being comedic with lines like "Don't play with my crippin, go play with your kids bitch". Vince's story-telling is really on point which harkens back to old comparisons to Snoop in his prime with his delivery and biting lyricism, which goes back to lyricism to someone like Slick-Rick who Snoop took inspo from. It's a really cool passing of the torch feeling in a lot of ways.

[@QuantumEcho7]

There's a lot of recapitulation (basically references) in the album too: samples from his older tracks to hit home points he's made many times before, perhaps you can interpret it as 'the more things change the more they stay the same'. 2:25 is an example - the track sounds like a slower sadder version of 'Blue Suede' for e.g.

[@stickfigure27]

SHAME ON THE DEVIL IN LEAST FAVORITE?!?!

[@Jiiggy-dn8fd]

You know the real reason 👀

[@JonathanRojas1993]

❤❤❤ so proud of you Anthony for being so consistent with the music reviews.

[@Apking85]

FINALLY BRO

[@xavierjack391]

Keep this lighting please. Holy crap.

[@jujuthedude]

Always can count on a Fantano comment section to have at least 90% of the comments completely unrelated to the music.

[@puchu_5001]

Love the new lighting, very comfy, makes me feel like home

[@PyroKinetics]

something i wish fantano mentioned is how vince sampled himself on government cheese by using the same beat as his first break into the mainstream with blue suede

[@Thievishaura]

Damn . The lighting looks great

[@mikoirl]

Fantano, you should really Turn on the Bright Lights for this review, it's hard to see in the dark.

[@HelpMeHelpMePlease]

No one has caught your Interpol reference and that just makes me that more happy you posted it brother

[@flop9562]

that looked like the red flannel in the thumbnail and i was BEFUDDLED

[@saladsauce5932]

I love that melon is getting quirkier with his reviews like the thumbnails. Seems like he's having more fun doing them

[@basseldahdouh8736]

The album was really great, the more i listen to it the better it gets 😩 and its only 35 mins It you havent heard any of Vinces music this album is great and easy to get into! I agree bout the “beat outshinin him” but the album called “Dark Times” and the whole album is Base Heavy, so the vocals dont cut that that well, but its dope af

[@basseldahdouh8736]

Also the song “Radio” made me listen to “Below The Heavens” by Blu & Exile and i do not regret it

[@nemezalightcel5771]

Review aside, shoutout to fantano for making his reviews visually consistent. I would legit not watch his reviews if he was on the LEFT side of the screen, I'm just too used to it. Also, you can keep this light, it's cool

[@TimmyErr]

Love this video. Great review

[@mulch4697]

He finally gave Vince some love

[@Dan-xv3yg]

The last song on this goes so nicely into the Fetch the Bolt Cutters album

[@GOODBOIN8]

As a pretty big fan of Vince especially the more recent part of his catalogue, it's nice that he is getting a yellow flannel on this one but I will say I am surprised, as this album imo doesn't stand leagues above the last 2, though I suppose the argument could be made the concept is stronger. A lot of what fantano said on this one would fit well of said about the self titled. Maybe he is just coming around to the style 🤷‍♂️ the delivery hasn't changed but it went from fantano saying it sounded bored and uninterested to now being under stated. Regardless, glad Vince is getting such a good review on this one

[@AntiVectorTV]

Cool, it's like a throwback to his old reviews

[@monsieurzing]

He did a show yesterday in cologne and the new album slapped live

[@ruffmadman]

Dark Times is a well deserved 8. You can clearly see the progression of this more laid back style compared to the 2 albums before it. It's crazy how effortlessly he switches flows in such a way that feels so natural. My only critique of this was that I wish we had a little more. I feel like "Freeman" and the final spoken word track doesn't feel like a complete ending to the album. Although it could also just be very much intentional as the last track loops back to the beginning seamlessly.

[@nicholasellis4597]

I really enjoyed this album as well! I'm also so glad to see Cal making so many appearances.

[@graydeotto2820]

What colour is the dress type lighting on this one

[@hubydubn900]

been really bumping this a lot one of my favorites from vince

[@stankycrusthunk]

This lighting after 13 years of watching giving me a fight-or-flight response.

[@zoloftzambuki2271]

Seeing Vince live in Berlin TODAY 😃😃 (Thanks, Melon-head ❤)

[@awkwardsavage]

You always know it’s gonna be a good time when Cal shows up in the beginning. Glad Vince got his flowers 🌸

[@zoNicke]

this lighting is very nice holy

[@lucariojet]

I completely forgot about that Paris Texas interview

[@OxzowachiAlt]

would be interested in seeing your take on The Marías' Submarine, I thought the production was fantastic but the melodies were lacking

[@LL-go3iu]

why did i have to wait so long for this!!!

[@1papajorgio]

Vince honestly has been on a 3 album run. If he creates more I look forward to it.

[@DudeMan52758]

I've been waiting for this review and then I missed it by 2 days

[@CALVINDAGENTLEMEN.-777_]

If it was called Kids See Dark Times, Fantano would’ve given it a 10

[@xxcuppycakeloverxx]

It was a well earned 8 too, happy for Vince I’ve been a long time fan of his

[@donnyzemko3454]

vince staples is so back

[@grandhustle8711]

1:55 Melon-choly

[@williamoconnell12]

melon I’d argue there is a rug pull on radio. I think that Vince very deliberately put Justin and Radio next to each other to make commentary on how black women are perceived by men. On Justin, the refrain “Women lie” is what a lot of rappers are saying, women aren’t “loyal and lie.” But why is that a common theme in rap music? The track Radio which follows explores why that perception exists, it being prevalent in male dominated art forms, particularly, the art forms being distributed via radio or in music, something Vince is acknowledging he is not innocent in propelling that stereotype. I’m up my own ass right now I realize but I thought it was a really intelligent choice to put those two songs next to each other and I want to give it the credit it’s due.

[@IsaacRivera-zs2id]

im pretty sure the synths on Government Cheese are the same as the ones from Blue Suede off Hell Can Wait

[@scammin4pigham150]

Fantano totally missed that the synth on government cheese is a throwback to Vince’s first albums hit “blue suede”

[@AntiActionFox]

I remember in 2019 i did coke a lot and i would always turn the lights down at parties because they were too bright. People usually understood and were chill. Im glad Anthony is protecting his eyes because those bright lights seriously can sting some binge nights

[@ZXEROHH]

Why do I like this lighting more than your normal lighting setup

[@damailman9629]

If you want to know what the Cal bit is referencing watch Paris Texas Live from Mars with Vince Staples and skip to around 19:30

[@christophersimmons7784]

Remember when Vince described how he would kill Fantano in the Paris Texas interview lol I think about now every time I see Fantano Lmaoo

[@tasenova2717]

bro the lighting in the back 😭😭 some really dark times

[@novacane3407]

Damn that’s crazy shame on the devil is my favorite track off the record 😂

[@breadmoneyarchival]

I understand the choice of lighting but now I can’t make out what’s on the album cover!

[@joelthecow4217]

Different camera melon I am liking it

[@souqlolw]

Finally another 10 goddamn I’ve been waiting for so long

[@inkonpaperhero]

Kinda surprised Fantano didn't talk about all the references to Vince's other projects that are sprinkled throughout Dark Times, which seemed especially significant since it's his last Def Jam record. Felt like Vince's Breakfast of Champions to me.