Rico Nasty: Nightmare Vacation Album Review
By Kaila Cherry
For the past year, Rico Nasty has continued to build upon her outrageous, punk, and off-the-wall brand and strengthened her cult following along the way. Anticipation for her next drop was building since November 2019 when she shared a snippet of a then-unreleased hyper pop track produced by Dylan Brady of the experimental pop group 100 gecs that fans raved over. In February of this year, Rico Nasty was on the remix of the song “Ringtone” by 100 gecs, featuring other experimental pop artists Kero Kero Bonito and Charli XCX. These features from Rico Nasty led fans to believe that she was headed in a more gitchy and electronic direction for her next album. And they were right. In early December, after several single and music video drops, Rico Nasty released her debut studio album Nightmare Vacation to an audience who was starving for a full length project from her. Ever since then, Rico Nasty stans and casual listeners alike have been fed. One could even say they were treated to a wonderful meal that, while it may have been a little unusual, maybe even out of their comfort zone, it was absolutely satisfying and one that they will remember for years to come.
Nightmare Vacation opens with the track “Candy.” “Candy” shows Rico Nasty in her element as she brags over a bass boosted beat with a quirky melody that ties everything together. The first line of the track opens the album in a simple but effective narrative fashion. She says, “On a dark and stormy night I don't blend in, bitch I shine bright.” With this lyric alone, Rico Nasty tells us that she stands out in every sense. She is a star no one can tell her otherwise. The project then moves into the next track, “Don’t Like Me.” “Don’t Like Me” utilizes the first two of several features on the album, Gucci Mane and Don Toliver. The song is light, bubbly, and highly addictive. “Don’t Like Me” is another foray of Rico Nasty into the world of pop. Although she does her fair share of rapping throughout the track, the melody during the chorus is so smooth and fun it will only take a couple of listens before you are singing along with them. The features from Gucci Mane and Don Toliver balance out the track nicely, providing a sense of grounding for the delightfully aloof track. If I had long blonde hair, I would absolutely twirl it around my finger while listening to “Don’t Like Me.”
If there is one thing Rico Nasty is going to do, it’s make an amped up track that makes you want to fight the next person you see for no reason. Nightmare Vacation does not disappoint with two songs that undeniably embody that sort of energy: “STFU” and “Let It Out.” Even the music video for “STFU” is a play on the idea of an underground fighting ring with Rico’s gang challenging another to a brawl that dissolves into a mosh-filled rave. Both tracks show Rico spitting her most aggressive bars, putting the most rasp on her voice, and screaming her loudest screams. “Let It Out” in particular is extremely cathartic, with her, as the title suggests, holding nothing back in her performance. The ad libs are a character in it of themselves on the song and add another layer of attitude to a track that was already powerful in its own right. The production of “Let It Out” is as eclectic as ever and fully leans into the chaos with no reservations. “Let It Out” is the perfect punk/rap fusion and will be blasting in my ears at full volume the next time someone tries me (I feel bad for them in advance :)).
Perhaps you’re not in the mood to fight but you are in the mood. Nightmare Vacation has you covered on that front, too. “Back and Forth” featuring Amine and “Pussy Poppin” are both sensual tracks that speak to demon time like no other. The chemistry on “Back and Forth” between Rico and Amine is effortless. It also helps to have a man with a sexy voice on a song about sex and Amine fits the bill quite well. “Back and Forth” is much more subdued than it’s counterpart “Pussy Poppin.” Gitchy and cute, “Pussy Poppin” is one of four songs produced by 100 gecs and/or member Dylan Brady. On the track, Rico Nasty plays up a bimbo-esque trope with the lyric “I don’t really talk like this/I know/ But the nigga got a real big “wooo” fasho” said with her voice nasally and words drawn out like an airhead. Of course, this is all apart of the performance, as Rico raps explicitly about being in control of her sexuality throughout the song.
One cannot talk about Nightmare Vacation without talking about the track that began the hype: “IPHONE.” “IPHONE” is what became of the teaser Rico Nasty played on Instagram Live on the faithful day in November of last year. This song is without a doubt the most experimental of all the songs on the album. The influence of Dylan Brady and 100 gecs can be heard as soon as the beat drops. Rico Nasty’s vocals are pitched up extremely high, comparable to the signature vocal style of 100 gecs lead singer Laura Les. The production style is extremely abrasive but controlled, creating a listening experience that is both frenzied and streamlined simultaneously. It is a paradox only 100 gecs and Rico Nasty can master with flying colors. In a Genuis Verified interview, Rico Nasty states that “IPHONE” is about relationships and how they can become toxic. This is demonstrated in the track as the song begins with the depiction of a couple infatuated with each other leading to a break up in which the man become obsessed with his now former love. A track that was already contemporary with it’s concept, “IPHONE” became even more telling of the times with the lyric “Smoking so much gas I forgot to put my mask on.” Originally a play on the term “gas mask,” now the line is something I’m sure many of us can relate to.
Nightmare Vacation is the debut album of every fan’s dreams. The project is wholly Rico Nasty’s own, with all kinds of sounds and influences that she has explored throughout the course of her career all rolled up into one cohesive collection. With another winner on her hands, Rico Nasty continues to have me in the palm of her hand as she solidifies herself as one of my favorite artists out right now. Her work never ceases to amaze me and she truly is one of a kind. If you still haven’t hopped on the Rico Nasty train, now is your time before it leaves the station. Nightmare Vacation is just the beginning for Rico Nasty and from the way her career has progressed so far, it can only get better from here.
Favorite Tracks
Let It Out
OHFR?
Pussy Poppin
Rating: 8
Listen to Nightmare Vacation here:
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