Rico Nasty – Nightmare Vacation

Review

"Nightmare Vacation," Rico Nasty’s audacious debut studio album, exhibits a kaleidoscopic blend of genres, encompassing the anarchic grit of nu-metal, the raw energy of punk, and the synthetic gloss of hyperpop. Released on the 4th of December, 2020, this opus demonstrates her artistic evolution into what she poetically dubs as "sugar trap on steroids," an alchemical concoction of trap’s urban pulse and bubblegum pop’s saccharine allure, elevated with an edge of emo and electronic undercurrents. Rico Nasty traverses thematic landscapes with fluid virtuosity, her sound invigorated by a symphony of guest artists like Trippie Redd, Aminé, and Gucci Mane, underpinned by the prodigious beats of luminaries such as 100 Gecs and Tay Keith.

Rico Nasty's ferocity and whimsical brattiness lacerate through tracks like “Check Me Out” and “Let It Out,” while her more tender side blossoms in “iPhone” and “Back & Forth.” The album sprints forth at an electrifying pace, boasting her signature humor and bravado amidst the labyrinth of genre twists. Although the latter part of the album slightly wanes in intensity, the commanding presence of the “Smack a Bitch” remix compensates, solidifying Rico Nasty’s stature in the pantheon of contemporary music. "Nightmare Vacation" is not merely an album but an iridescent mosaic of Rico's unbridled creativity, reflecting her unwavering confidence and boundary-pushing audacity. - Kate