Following the success of his breakthrough 2015 album Summertime ’06 Vince Staples was at somewhat of a career and personal crossroads. On one hand Staples was free from the shackles of his upbringing in Long Beach that saw him experience gang violence and poverty on a daily basis. On the other hand, Staples was now wracked with immense artistic pressure to deliver on a much anticipated sophomore album that lived up to the hype while navigating his newfound financial success.
Big Fish Theory met the moment. Staples nearly nihilistic worldview, riddled with anxiety, can be heard as well as felt throughout the entire 12-track album. The production on this album is unsettingly and filled with hooks all at the same time– it’s effectively a despondent avant garde electronic club music album, soaked with pulsating bass-heavy beats and industrial noise, with Staples’ subtly aggressive flow layered on top. This sonic exploration that reflects the chaos of modern American life (especially the backdrop of the political climate in 2017) is appropriately raw. It’s disorienting, it’s intense, and it pushes the boundaries of conventional hip-hop. For anyone looking to experience the feeling of anxiety in audio form, Big Fish Theory is your ticket.
Standout Songs: “Crabs In A Bucket”, “Big Fish”, “745”, “Yeah Right”, “Rain Come Down”
