Rico Nasty’s new album came out and I love it! It’s really solid, one of Rico’s best efforts. I’ve been a fan of her for a couple years now. But I have had trouble connecting with her previous material. Especially cause she’s a huge fan of genre blending and switching (something that is still present on Las Ruinas). But I decided to give it a shot since I saw some people talk positive about it. I like to go track-by-track when I write about music, so lets-a-go:

Intrusive – when you start with this weird glitch metal/rap thingy that’s how you know shit’s gonna go buckwild. The glitchiness reminds me a lot of Poppy’s I Disagree album (and that album is pretty fire). A fucking solid album opener.

Vaderz (feat. Bktherula) – I’ve heard of Bktherula on TikTok and I haven’t heard her much since. But the ladies killed it!The track reminds me a lot of this newer style of rap. Like Rx Papi or Carti. There’s something so cool about it.

Black Punk – one of my favorite tracks! It’s just everything that makes me love Rico. Catchy-ass hook, bust-a-bitch-ass lyrics, and a rocking-ass beat. Plus that breakdown at the end of the track??? UGHHHHHH GIMME MORE MISS RICOOOOO.

Messy (feat. Teezo Touchdown and Bktherula) – apt title. Got nothing against Teezo, but I had a hard time with his rough singing on this track. I felt this way initially about Kid Cudi’s singing on Ghost Town off Ye. But that song grew on me, so who knows? The breakbeat drums are so fucking sick though! Can’t get my mind off them!!

Phuckin Lady – a much needed lil palette cleanser. It was high time to kind of bring it down to earth with a little lower key song. But that digital sound is still present and it’s really great to hear.

One On 5 – club hit. GIMME RICO AT THE FUCKING CLUB. I think people who fuck with club music might not like this, but I like it. Sooooo we know whose opinion matters here.

Gotsta Get Paid – nahhhhhhhhhhh GIMME MORE OF THIS SHITTTTTT!!!!!! This is probably my favorite track. Rico raps her ass off on this. The Tom and Jerry ass sound is so fucking great. You’d think it get grating after a while but it fucking bangs. I need to hear more 100 gecs hip-hop production. Shit’s gas. Jpegmafia x 100 gecs when????

Watch Your Man (feat. Marshmello) – it’s great to hear Marshmello on here. Definitely something you’d expect from him, but again Rico talked her shit. So I cannot complain.

Blow Me – apparently this was a single? Makes sense, it’s one of the tamer songs off the album that has a great chance to be iconic. Can see this becoming a TikTok hit (although, any song can be a TikTok song, honestly).

Jungle (Rico Nasty Remix) – so this is just Rico rapping on an already existing song (it’s only a couple weeks old). While Rico does her thing, it’s definitely a rapper just hopping on a “remix” kind of thing (like those Zedd and Calvin Harris rap song from the early 2010’s). But Imma need Rico to get more features like this. Anything to get her on the radio pls.

Dance Scream – a great little track. I think it’s more of an interlude more than anything. The ending is a bit weird however. Very abrupt.

Skullflower – another crack at hyperpop from Rico. It’s a good one. The only thing missing is that real catchy hook. But I like it, very drain gang.

Focus on Me – it’s interesting, I can kind of split this album after Jungle. This half does more of the sugar trap shit she has wanted to do for years. And I like it, but I don’t think it hits the same as that earlier half. Still solid, just different.

Always (skit) – she calls this a skit, but it’s more of an interlude. It’s good, but like many interludes, I’ll skip it more often than not. But hearing a track in the vein of Charli XCX and Caroline Polachek is always welcome.

Easy – Rico pouring her heart to us. Sing it to us queen! It’s great to just get her and a guitar, it gives. I like this version of Rico.

Into the Dark – so, it’s weird. This song is continuing the previous track’s mood. But it’s got a little too much in it, you feel me? A little too overproduced. I liked the stripped back feel of Easy, so we should’ve continued it! Also one of her weaker hooks.

Chicken Nugget – again, the production kinda throws this off. It’s clearly a love letter to her son, and it’s fucking well-written. But I just don’t get a sense of Rico as a person from it. It feels detached and cold, as opposed to warm and comforting. But that last bit with the message from her son was so tender and great. If the song was just that little part, it would’ve been a better ending!

I have been fucking with albums with a clear arc lately, and this is no exception. Rico did a fantastic job taking us along for this journey. The ending was a bit unfulfilled, but the overall package more than makes up for it! Thanks queen!!