FM!
| Vince Staples
FM!
FM! is the third studio album by American rapper Vince Staples, released on November 2, 2018, through Blacksmith Records and distributed by Def Jam Recordings. The album is primarily produced by Kenny Beats, with further production by Hagler, Cubeatz and KillaGraham, and features guest vocals from Kamaiyah, E-40, Jay Rock, Kehlani, Earl Sweatshirt, Buddy and Tyga, among others.-Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Djbooth
With FM!, Vince finally has an album with the potential to catch the world's ears. I hope they're listening.
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NME
The Cali rapper is here for a good time, not a long time, his accomplished third album a compelling reminder that life isn’t always sunny.
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popmatters
FM! is a brief album, much like Kanye's work earlier this year, but it packs so much into its tracks, especially given the dual purpose of its radio show setting.
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Vulture
It speaks to how challenging Vince Staples’s music has been in this decade that what might be his most conventional record in years can still sound like an exciting new direction.
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truebluenote
A bold statement like this implies that there’s more to this show than what we’ve heard thus far. As long as it delivers the way FM! has, this author is eagerly awaiting its next installment.
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theringer
The Long Beach rapper’s latest project is a tightly wound, perfectly written 22-minute masterpiece—but first, a story
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consequenceofsound
The North Long Beach rapper brilliantly extends gangsta summer well into the fall
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stereogum
Vince Staples is out here telling hard truths, and he’s telling them in ways that move. Bring on the next four albums.
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uproxx
Vince Staples Injects Some Sunshine Into His Funk On The Surprise New Album ‘FM!’
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hiphopdx
Staples has added another colorful chapter to his chameleon-like catalog and reinforced his intention to keep evolving no matter what trends are dictating the current wave.
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chicagotribune
Vince Staples revisits a tumultuous childhood on 'FM!'
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raitingsgamemusic
“FM” plays like a radio station managed by Vince Staples, and for 11 straight tracks, you gotta chance to hear how awesome that would sound if that was really the case.
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xxlmag
Yet FM! is definitely more centrally focused than either of those EPs. And even if this is just an off-hand project Vince recorded quickly, it's a hell of a one-off album that's full of charm and lyrical depth paired with fantastic production. Tune in.
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ACRN
Although he may have once tweeted that “the national anthem don’t even slap”, FM! definitely does.
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auidoxide
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with FM!. It manages to add character to each track while staying cohesive, likely helped along by the concept of a radio broadcast rather than a straight album.
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highsnobiety
It’s a slight turn from the dark, future-thinking electronics of Staples’ previous album Big Fish Theory which enlisted the likes of Justin Vernon and SOPHIE as producers, but the gloomy, rapid pace riot of FM! is an extremely focused beast and Staples’ flow is melodic as hell, in fact it pops. In Staples’ own words: “Just a young black man with a backbone.”
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commmedia
FM! is an impressive album by Vince Staples that does a great job of creating an enjoyable album that can also be delved into like few albums can in the genre today.
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dailyfreepress
“FM!” is nothing like anything Staples has done before, and not in a good way. Only days ago, Staples announced he would soon release “a very special project,” a proclamation that could not be further from the truth. Staples’ new album “FM!” was released Thursday and is easily his least original release to date
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top5rapwebsite
Very good; a few bland songs or minor flaws throughout.
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Legends will never die
Honestly, this was just ok. The production is eclectic & Vince sounds hype, but I feel like it’s chocked with filler. I really hope his next album will be a much more consistent listen, because I know he can do much better than this.
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deadendhiphop
FM! Perfectly mimicking a Summer Day in Long Beach, Vince brings it home with a project that encapsulates his world that we’ve seen time and again (with Prima Donna and Summertime ’06 coming to mind) FM! is a short project with lots of reasons to revisit it in the future.
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the student playlist
FM! is a short burst of relentless fun, and, perhaps in 2018, that’s all a project needs to be.
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fkbonline
Vince is such an intelligent artist that he found a happy medium for both and showed he absolutely can make radio records and stay true to who he is.
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musicconnection
A new breed of West Coast rappers has emerged in the last decade and Vince Staples is someone who has proven sustainability from this renaissance. FM! is Staples’ third major release and is his best work thus far. It is creative, fun and nostalgic.
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mixtapemixup
Overall, FM!‘s abbreted runtime and charming-but-gimmicky idea make it rather less substantial of a launch than Big Fish Theory or Summertime ’06, nevertheless it’s nonetheless one other decisive verify within the W column for an artist with no L’s so far.
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dailytitan
No matter what “FM!” is, it certainly deserves a good listen, even if you aren’t from Long Beach or a fan of rap music.
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positivelyunderground
Although the work is short, it’s merely compressed and Staples somehow has involved himself with enough material to keep an FM station going for a lot longer than 25 minutes.
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Reviews that nobody will read
Every part of this album sounds like a victory lap for Vince Staples as he celebrates his hometown and everybody who was a part of it with a short album, packed with bangers from front to back and while it isn’t his most innovative project, it doesn’t have to be, as Vince more than makes up for it in his delivery and hooks.
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blacksquirrelradio
FM! is short and genuine. It is uncensored and truthful. It is energetic and jaw-dropping. It is gritty and blunt. The perfect radio station. The perfect channel for the humorous rapper to reflect on the human condition that he lived, observed and gained inspiration from.
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let it happen
FM! is one of Vince’s shortest full-length projects, but despite the newfound change in production it’s far from his sweetest. Yes, it’s all over much sooner than we’d like, but there’s no denying Vince Staples’ flair for high-octane radio-ready bangers and with four (yes, you heard) new projects already in the pipeline for 2019, hip-hops dark horse has plenty more to offer.
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the reed college quest
I recommend that you give the album a listen. Although some of the tracks left me wanting more, I think the album succeeds in exploring the relationship between entertainment and social critique.
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the parriot
the album is a refreshing, no frills, rapid fire fusilade of a project that without a doubt stands out as one of the best projects in Vince Staples’ discography
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riffsandrhymes
It is short, but there isn’t a bad song on the thing. It just might convince you that Vince himself should get his own Apple radio show. Who knows what he could curate if this is just a sample of what he could do.
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soulinstereo
FM! really feels like a throwback to radio’s heyday. And at just 22 minutes, it’s a breezy, digestable listen, easily Vince’s best work since his beloved debut Summertime ’06.
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sputnikmusic
watch me do the same old thing, do the same old thing
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deadendfollies
FM! is only 22 minutes long, but it doesn’t have a dull moment. I perhaps enjoyed Run the Bands and No Bleedin’ a little less than the other tracks on that thing, but they might just be someone else’s favorites.
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surrealresolution
Vince Staples’ FM makes you want to turn your radio up.
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dailyemerald
“FM!”serves as a nice filler album until Staples is able to put out another project. Since his last studio album, “Big Fish Theory,” was released back in 2017, this does the job of satisfying fans until his next big release.
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noisecomply
FM! is another high quality project from Vince Staples. This album showcases Vince’s distinct personality, and his ability to create supremely cohesive projects. He created a more casual and laid back sound with this one which works as both a strength and a weakness.
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medium
One of the internets most polarising rappers has surprised us with a special project dedicated to himself.
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albumanalysis
Everything had lots more room for improvement, and it starts with not hindering the potential development of a musical idea. The isolated musical ideas found here weren’t embarrassingly awful, but they weren’t coated with anything of interest and had no sense of direction from beginning to end.
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afterglowatx
FM! is simply a nostalgic look at the rapper’s formative years. From carefully curated artist features to the production choices , it’s clear that Vince Staples knows what he’s doing when he creates an album, even if it’s only for himself. With the amount of detail put into a one-off project, fans and critics alike can surely look forward to what the rapper does next.
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NPR
'FM!' Is A Potent Critique Of How We Consume Black Art (And It Slaps!)
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exclaim
FM! is laced with self-doubt, social justice and most importantly, phenomenal songs that serve as much as vehicles demonstrating the rapper's overwhelming skill and talent as his ideas on gang culture, blackness and the abundant racism in the world today.
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thefader
Staples expertly fits the pain, conflict, and joy of a hot Long Beach summer into 22 minutes.
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sceneandheard
FM! is a 22-minute, beautifully selfish middle finger to the streaming era’s double-albums, and an absolute masterclass in juxtaposition. Vince Staples takes you on a ride through Long Beach in the middle of the summer where the only two sure things on a hot day in the LBC are parties and the often-ignored but never-escaped threat of gang violence.
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tinnitist
Vince Staples keeps it nasty, brutish and short on his surprise release.
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mysticsons
US rapper pays homage to his home-state on third full-length
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an album a day
FM! is a diverse and slick record that only further cements Vince Staples' claim to being a Los Angeles legend.
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rollingout
Staples simply wanted to deliver the project he wanted to hear and, in turn, gave fans another epic ride through the streets of Long Beach and possibly his best project to date.
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pitchfork
On Vince Staples’ third album, the California rapper keeps it short and not so sweet.
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allmusic
That briskness works in favor of FM!, resulting in an urgent, taut listen that leaves listeners wanting more. As the title suggests, FM! is presented in a throwback radio format, turning the dial from Staples' hard-hitting tunes to special entries by guests Earl Sweatshirt and Tyga.
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thirstkey
If on first listen you weren’t pleased with it, I’d advise giving it another shot. Obviously everyone’s opinion won’t change but you may be surprised.
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NOW
On his third official album, Vince Staples continues his reign as a unique, highly skilled and energized artist. It’s worth noting that his pre-debut Shyne Coldchain mixtapes are as solid as any of his official releases – and at first glance, FM! actually resembles a mixtape, with 11 songs and two brief snippets of new releases from other artists, topping out at a lean 22 minutes.
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The Carolinian
Vince Staples’ “FM” is an incredible short listen that delivers on every front, and hits all of the marks with the speed and accuracy of a sharpshooter with a water gun. “FM” has enormous power behind it, but plays easily enough to be background noise at the next function or to motivate an intense workout.
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livewire
Every part of this album sounds like a victory lap for Vince Staples as he celebrates his hometown and everybody who was a part of it with a short album, packed with bangers from front to back and while it isn't his most innovative project, it doesn't have to be, as Vince more than makes up for it in his delivery and hooks.
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recommended Listen
M!, an 11 track, 23-minute-long project that’s flows out of him effortlessly while flexing new ways to introduce new music in between proper album cycles without going the route of singles saturation or waiting to stack an LP by the two-fold for algorithmic gains.
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viberant
This album felt to me like a victory lap of his past few years, rising to prominence in the genre and pushing the boundaries of conceptual sound in commercial hip-hop. I am 100% certain there is more to come from him, more than likely a more refined, prolonged release next year; but what we were given for now is more than enough.
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frodomcgee
I don’t really have a problem with most of these tracks and actually, enjoy the interludes which add a nice touch to this album. Definitely give this a listen if you are a fan of rap music with quality lyricism.
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pinnaclepop
It’s one I would recommend to pretty much anyone who enjoys radio friendly beats with not-so radio friendly rapping – but then again rap rarely ever is radio friendly.
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the reflector
FM! is Staples’ most realized and consistent album to date, acting as a promising continuation of the MC’s’ rapidly expanding discography.
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platformmagazine
Playing at just over a total of 20 minutes, ‘FM!’ falls short of the hard-hitting and avant-garde style that was so prominent on ‘Big Fish Theory’.
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thecourier
FM! acts as a bookmark, separating two distinct eras in terms of how we discover new music: the radio era and the streaming era. In this sense, and although the subject matter incorporated is nothing new to Vince’s discography, the project conveys a much more profound message than one might initially think.
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theneedledrop
FM!'s fun concept begs for a longer runtime, but even at 22 minutes the project has plenty to offer with its quality beats, flows, hooks, and lyrics.
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eriereader
FM! pays tribute to hip-hop radio, highlighting the rapper's noteworthy ability to leap from style to style, separated only by short skits of radio banter and teasers for peers Earl Sweatshirt and Tyga (the album's cover also bears homage to Green Day's 1994 album Dookie).
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KAMP radio
FM! is a less than hour and a half album, that reveals much like his EP Prima Donna. It’s hard, vicious, and reflects the nuance of trauma, violence, fame and even Twitter beef through unapologetic street-rap.
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album charts
Once again, Vince delivers a visionary take on the past, present, and future of the west coast sound – and with FM!, he’s three for three.
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the emory wheel
It’s a real shame too, because, for the most part, Staples’ verses on this album are on par with his usual work. At the end of the day, the album isn’t terrible, but Staples can do much better.
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lyricallemonade
‘FM’. Delivering flows that echo his West Coast predecessors over beats that conjure up the heat of his home climate, he sounds undoubtedly in his bag. Vince makes sure to pack as much as he can in the 22-minute runtime, keeping things interesting with moments of volatility contrasted with his untouched levels of cool.
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rapradar
Vince Staples is full of surprises. Fresh off the announcement this week, the Long Beach rapper releases his third album, FM!. Features on the 11 tracks include Ty Dolla $ign, Jay Rock, E-40, Buddy, Tyga, Earl Sweatshirt, Kamaiyah, Kehlani, and Vonnie. Perfect timing.
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beat
‘FUN!’ is actually fun and even better with the comical music video. All in all this album is short on quantity and unfortunately also quality; leaving us all still waiting on a decent rap release in 2018.
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hubpages
FM!" plays like an out of place shot of summer fun with some of Staples' best hooks and smoothest flows.
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the newplex
It still lacks what I gravitated towards Vince’s music in the first place – the loud in your face commentary on society is what I long for from ya boy Vince.
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clash
As it stands ‘FM!’ is little more than a placeholder - an interesting but self-indulgent sketch from an artist who could be creating masterpieces.
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the patriot press
The album is quite good, and I know I will find myself going back to it in the future. The lyrics are clever and fun, and they manage this without being too deep.
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the student newspaper
Staples showcases local talent and celebrates the West Coast’s constant knack for producing rap genius. While in the past he has delivered his trademark no-frills realism against jarring and often menacing background sounds FM! involves a different approach.
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the beacon
A full listen through “FM!” will have you wanting more instantly. The jam-packed quality over the span of 22 minutes is extremely impressive for an artist of any genre.
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the music desk
True to form, Vince Staples puts out a solid, surprise album in a year of big rap disappointments, but it’s no easy listen
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reed review
Beside the skits the music is catchy and really fun to listen to and one of the best albums to listen to this year.
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