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| rev10 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev10 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev10score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="rollingstonerev">{{cite web|last=Weingarten |first=Christopher R. |title=Review: Vince Staples Embraces the Electronic Avant-Garde on 'Big Fish Theory'|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/review-vince-staples-big-fish-theory-w489140|website=Rolling Stone|accessdate=June 23, 2017}}</ref>
| rev10score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="rollingstonerev">{{cite web|last=Weingarten |first=Christopher R. |title=Review: Vince Staples Embraces the Electronic Avant-Garde on 'Big Fish Theory'|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/review-vince-staples-big-fish-theory-w489140|website=Rolling Stone|accessdate=June 23, 2017}}</ref>
| rev11 = "[[Anthony Fantano]]"
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<!-- No more than 10 reviews -->
| rev11score = {{rating|6|10}}
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}}
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''Big Fish Theory'' received widespread acclaim from critics. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an [[weighted arithmetic mean|average]] score of 89, based on 21 reviews.<ref name="metacritic"/> [[AllMusic]] critic Neil Z. Yeung thought that "''Big Fish Theory'' cements Staples' status as one of the most talented and forward-thinking voices in rap in the late 2010s."<ref name="allmusic"/> ''[[The A.V. Club]]''{{'}}s Clayton Purdom stated: "On ''Big Fish Theory'', an album about the guilt that comes with transcending one's home, Staples finds a better language still."<ref name="avclub"/> Liam Egan of ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' described the album as "a record that not only sees Vince taking risks and progressing forward as an artist, but also another astounding example of what hip-hop should and can be in 2017."<ref name="clash"/> Eric Renner Brown of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' thought that ''Big Fish Theory'' "surpasses expectations, with incisive lyrics and beats that spurn current trends for a set that sounds unlike anything else in hip-hop right now."<ref name="ew"/> ''[[The Guardian]]''{{'}}s Kate Hutchinson stated that the record "makes for a challenging, dystopian listen, the blade runner to everyone else's replicant."<ref name="guardian-review"/>
''Big Fish Theory'' received widespread acclaim from critics. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an [[weighted arithmetic mean|average]] score of 89, based on 21 reviews.<ref name="metacritic"/> [[AllMusic]] critic Neil Z. Yeung thought that "''Big Fish Theory'' cements Staples' status as one of the most talented and forward-thinking voices in rap in the late 2010s."<ref name="allmusic"/> ''[[The A.V. Club]]''{{'}}s Clayton Purdom stated: "On ''Big Fish Theory'', an album about the guilt that comes with transcending one's home, Staples finds a better language still."<ref name="avclub"/> Liam Egan of ''[[Clash (magazine)|Clash]]'' described the album as "a record that not only sees Vince taking risks and progressing forward as an artist, but also another astounding example of what hip-hop should and can be in 2017."<ref name="clash"/> Eric Renner Brown of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' thought that ''Big Fish Theory'' "surpasses expectations, with incisive lyrics and beats that spurn current trends for a set that sounds unlike anything else in hip-hop right now."<ref name="ew"/> ''[[The Guardian]]''{{'}}s Kate Hutchinson stated that the record "makes for a challenging, dystopian listen, the blade runner to everyone else's replicant."<ref name="guardian-review"/>

Revision as of 09:46, 4 July 2017

Untitled

Big Fish Theory is the second studio album by American rapper Vince Staples. It was released on June 23, 2017, by ARTium Recordings, Blacksmith Records and Def Jam Recordings. The album was supported by three singles: "BagBak", "Big Fish" and "Rain Come Down". Musically leaning toward electronic club music genres such as house and Detroit techno, it features production work from Zack Sekoff, Sophie, Ray Brady, Jimmy Edgar, GTA, Justin Vernon and Flume, among others, as well as vocal contributions from a variety of artists including Kilo Kish, Kendrick Lamar, Juicy J, Ty Dolla Sign, Damon Albarn, Ray J and ASAP Rocky.

Background and promotion

On January 3, 2017, Staples announced that he would release a song called "BagBak" on February 2, 2017.[1] On May 18, in an interview on Zane Lowe's show Beats 1, he announced the title of his upcoming album and released an accompanying single, "Big Fish".[2][3] He also announced that Big Fish Theory would be released on June 23, 2017.[4][5] On June 8, he released his third single, "Rain Come Down",[6] as well as an accompanying music video.[7] On June 11, he released the album's artwork and an Instagram photo of the 12-song track list.[8][9]

Composition

Big Fish Theory is a hip hop album,[10][11] with several publications noting that the album leans toward electronic club music genres such as house and Detroit techno.[12][10][13][14][15] Rolling Stone characterized the album as an "avant-garde dance record that takes stock of his current loves, victories, politics and – most noticeably – interest in the cutting edge of electronic music."[16] Similarly, Out stated that the album "fuses avant-garde electronica with aggressive hip-hop."[17] NME said Staples' "bleak lyrical brilliance is perfectly matched by Big Fish Theory's experimental production. He's always had a taste for harsh electronic funk, and he embraces that creative urge more eagerly than ever. There's slo-mo techno, dystopian G-funk, field recordings, growling industrialism; abstract, icy grooves more indebted to Berlin than Atlanta."[11] AllMusic described the record as "a skittish thought piece wrapped around the nucleus of the Chicago footwork sound.[18]

Spin said "Big Fish Theory's whiplash sonic shifts and industrial makeup will make comparisons with Kanye West's Yeezus easy. However, it may have more in common with The Life of Pablo, which combined elements of Yeezus' avant-garde structure with My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy's tortured look at fame."[13] HipHopDX said the album is "one of the more avant-garde projects backed by Def Jam."[19]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?8.4/10[20]
Metacritic89/100[21]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[18]
The A.V. ClubA–[22]
Clash8/10[23]
Consequence of SoundA–[10]
Entertainment WeeklyA–[24]
Exclaim!9/10[25]
The Guardian[26]
NME[11]
Pitchfork8.7/10[12]
Rolling Stone[16]
"Anthony Fantano"

Big Fish Theory received widespread acclaim from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 89, based on 21 reviews.[21] AllMusic critic Neil Z. Yeung thought that "Big Fish Theory cements Staples' status as one of the most talented and forward-thinking voices in rap in the late 2010s."[18] The A.V. Club's Clayton Purdom stated: "On Big Fish Theory, an album about the guilt that comes with transcending one's home, Staples finds a better language still."[22] Liam Egan of Clash described the album as "a record that not only sees Vince taking risks and progressing forward as an artist, but also another astounding example of what hip-hop should and can be in 2017."[23] Eric Renner Brown of Entertainment Weekly thought that Big Fish Theory "surpasses expectations, with incisive lyrics and beats that spurn current trends for a set that sounds unlike anything else in hip-hop right now."[24] The Guardian's Kate Hutchinson stated that the record "makes for a challenging, dystopian listen, the blade runner to everyone else's replicant."[26]

Joe Madden of NME stated that Staples' lyrics are "emotionally calibrated for 2017: antsy, alienated and occasionally overcome with nihilistic despair at the state of the world. And his bleak lyrical brilliance is perfectly matched by Big Fish Theory's experimental production."[11] Pitchfork gave it the title of "Best New Music" with writer Sheldon Pearce stating that "Big Fish Theory feels like a natural progression" and further added: "Amid the gleaming productions, he's still exploring darkness."[12] Rolling Stone's Christopher R. Weingarten stated: "sure, it's less focused than the reportage of 2015's Summertime '06, but the varying emotions and outlooks mark a full step forward into becoming a multi-layered, genre-crossing, emotion-spilling pop auteur in the vein of West, Drake or Childish Gambino."[16] The Line of Best Fit's Erik Thompson wrote that "on this record it is clear that Staples is making his own assertive artistic statement for these turbulent times, while also firmly establishing himself as one of the brash, singular voices that is going to be leading the music world into the chaotic, unpredictable future."[27] Sputnikmusic praised the album, calling it the best hip hop album of 2017.[28]

Track listing

Credits adapted from the album's official liner notes.[29]

Big Fish Theory
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Crabs in a Bucket"
  • Sekoff
  • Vernon[a]
3:17
2."Big Fish"
Christian Rich3:18
3."Alyssa Interlude"
Sekoff2:38
4."Love Can Be..."
GTA2:58
5."745"
Jimmy Edgar3:47
6."Ramona Park is Yankee Stadium"
  • Staples
  • Raymond Edward Brady III
Ray Brady0:51
7."Yeah Right"
3:08
8."Homage"
Sekoff2:53
9."SAMO"
Sophie2:54
10."Party People"
  • Staples
  • Sekoff
Sekoff2:58
11."BagBak"
  • Staples
  • Brady
Brady2:41
12."Rain Come Down"
Sekoff4:41
Total length:36:04

Notes

  • ^[a] signifies a co-producer
  • ^[b] signifies an additional producer
  • "Crabs in a Bucket", "Ramona Park is Yankee Stadium" and "Homage" feature additional vocals by Kilo Kish
  • "Big Fish" features additional vocals by Juicy J
  • "Love Can Be..." features additional vocals by Kilo Kish, Damon Albarn and Ray J
  • "Yeah Right" features additional vocals by Kendrick Lamar and Kučka
  • "SAMO" features additional vocals by ASAP Rocky and Kilo Kish
  • "BagBak" features additional vocals by Ken Rogers
  • "Rain Come Down" features additional vocals by Ty Dolla Sign

Sample credits

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's official liner notes.[29]

Music

  • Damon Albarn – additional vocals (track 4), keyboard (track 4)
  • ASAP Rocky – additional vocals (track 9)
  • Juicy J – additional vocals (track 2)
  • Kendrick Lamar – additional vocals (track 7)
  • Kilo Kish – additional vocals (tracks 1, 4, 6, 8, 9)
  • Kučka – additional vocals (track 7)
  • Taylor Mackall – additional keyboards (track 12)
  • Ray J – additional vocals (track 4)
  • Ken Rogers – additional vocals (track 11)
  • Zack Sekoff – electric guitar (track 3), keyboards (track 3), synth bass (track 8), synthesizer (track 12)
  • Vince Staples – lead vocals (tracks 1–12)
  • Ty Dolla Sign – additional vocals (track 12)

Production

  • Ray Brady – production (tracks 6, 11), recording (tracks 6, 11)
  • Christian Rich – production (track 2), programming (track 2)
  • Jimmy Edgar – production (track 5), programming (track 5)
  • Flume – additional production (track 7)
  • William Francis Delaney VI – additional engineering (tracks 1–12)
  • Michael Freeman – mixing assistance (tracks 1–12)
  • Chris Gehringer – mastering
  • GTA – production (track 4)
  • Zack Sekoff – production (tracks 1, 3, 8, 10, 12), programming (tracks 1, 3, 8, 10, 12)
  • Chaz R. Sexton – assistant engineering (tracks 4, 6, 7, 9)
  • Sophie – production (tracks 7, 9)
  • Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing (tracks 1–12)
  • Michael Law Thomas – recording (tracks 1–5, 7–10, 12), vocal recording (tracks 6, 11)
  • Justin Vernon – co-production (track 1), additional programming (track 1)

Managerial

  • Ian Allen – business affairs
  • Courtni Asbury – publicity
  • Chris Atlas – marketing
  • Nikisha Bailey – A&R administration
  • Dave Bell – marketing
  • Corey "Blacksmith" Smyth – executive production, A&R, management
  • Alexander Bortz – photography
  • Leesa D. Brunson – A&R operations
  • Ron Cabiltes – sample clearance
  • Mike Chavez – A&R
  • Shawnaé Corbett – product management
  • Vol Davis III – business affairs
  • Chelsea Donini – digital management
  • Ryan Fletcher – A&R coordination
  • Lynn Gonzalez – business affairs
  • Carron Mitchell – legal representation
  • Julian K. Petty – legal representation
  • Andy Proctor – package production
  • Vince Staples – A&R
  • Jamie Sudhalter – business affairs
  • Antoinette Trotman – business affairs
  • Corey Williams – business affairs
  • Danny Zook – sample clearance

Charts

Chart (2017) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[30] 17
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[31] 100
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[32] 161
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[33] 19
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[34] 60
Irish Albums (IRMA)[35] 39
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[36] 28
UK Albums (OCC)[37] 58

References

  1. ^ Goddard, Kevin (February 2, 2017). "Vince Staples – BagBak". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  2. ^ Ortiz, Edwin (May 18, 2017). "Vince Staples Announces 'Big Fish Theory' Release Date, Drops "Big Fish" Video". Complex. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
  3. ^ Josephs, Brian (May 18, 2017). "Vince Staples Drops 'Big Fish,' Announces 'Big Fish Theory' Release Date". Billboard. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
  4. ^ Phillips, Amy (May 18, 2017). "Vince Staples Announces New Album Big Fish Theory". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
  5. ^ Blistein, Jon (May 18, 2017). "Vince Staples Previews New LP With Striking 'Big Fish' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
  6. ^ Lilah, Rose (June 8, 2017). "Vince Staples – Rain Come Down Feat. Ty Dolla $ign". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  7. ^ Goddard, Kevin (June 23, 2017). "Vince Staples Feat. Ty Dolla $ign "Rain Come Down" Video [New Video]". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  8. ^ "Instagram photo by @vincestaples". Instagram. June 11, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  9. ^ Sodomsky, Sam (June 17, 2017). "Vince Staples Details New Album Big Fish Theory Credits: Kendrick Lamar, Justin Vernon, Damon Albarn, More". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
  10. ^ a b c "Album Review: Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory". Consequence of Sound. June 26, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  11. ^ a b c d Madden, Joe. "Vince Staples – 'Big Fish Theory' Album Review – NME". NME. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  12. ^ a b c Pearce, Sheldon. "Vince Staples: Big Fish Theory". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  13. ^ a b "Review: Vince Staples – 'Big Fish Theory'". Spin.
  14. ^ "Vince Staples: The Big Fish Theory". PopMatters.
  15. ^ "Review: Vince Staples, Big Fish Theory". Pretty Much Amazing. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ a b c Weingarten, Christopher R. "Review: Vince Staples Embraces the Electronic Avant-Garde on 'Big Fish Theory'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  17. ^ "Vince Staples Samples Hari Nef on Pounding Album Highlight, 'Yeah Right'". Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  18. ^ a b c Yeung, Neil Z. "Big Fish Theory – Vince Staples". AllMusic. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  19. ^ "Review: With "Big Fish Theory," Vince Staples Swims Laps Ahead Of Convention". HipHopDX. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  20. ^ "Big Fish Theory by Vince Staples reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  21. ^ a b "Big Fish Theory by Vince Staples". Metacritic. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  22. ^ a b Purdom, Clayton. "Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  23. ^ a b Egan, Liam. "Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory". Clash. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  24. ^ a b Brown, Eric Renner. "Vince Staples paves new sonic ground on the stellar Big Fish Theory". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  25. ^ "Vince Staples makes an assertive artistic statement for turbulent times". Exclaim!.
  26. ^ a b Hutchinson, Kate. "Vince Staples: Big Fish Theory review – dazzling flow makes grim truths glitter". The Guardian. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  27. ^ Thompson, Erik. "Vince Staples makes an assertive artistic statement for turbulent times". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved June 22, 2017.
  28. ^ "Review: Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory". Sputnikmusic.
  29. ^ a b "Big Fish Theory digital booklet" (PDF). Universal Music Group. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  30. ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. July 3, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  31. ^ "Ultratop.be – Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  32. ^ "Ultratop.be – Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  33. ^ "On The Charts: July 3, 2017". FYIMusicNews. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
  34. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Vince Staples – Big Fish Theory" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  35. ^ "Irish Albums Chart: 23 June 2017". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  36. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 3, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  37. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 1, 2017.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Big_Fish_Theory&oldid=788928716"