Honestly, it’s just barely okay. The debut EP from global sensation Ice Spice has some solid moments, but there are definitely some significant lows. The biggest issue here, in my opinion, is the production. Whoever’s responsible for making her beats really needs to be replaced, because some of the instrumentals they gave her are downright odd. Whether it’s disjointed sounds or just annoyingly awkward arrangements, the beats feel off in a way that distracts from the rest of the music.
But let’s not let Ice Spice completely off the hook. While the production is certainly a weak point, she doesn’t exactly help her case. The constant repetition of her taglines—“quit playing with them, right?” and the “grrah” ad-libs—becomes frustrating after a while. One time, sure, it’s a slip-up. Two times, it’s a coincidence. But by the third time? It’s a pattern, and after that, it’s just overkill. This overuse of recycled lyrics and ad-libs really drags down any sense of freshness and creativity. Her flow can be interesting and unique at times, but she sticks to it so much that it becomes repetitive and goes unnoticed, losing its impact.
That being said, there are definitely highlights on the EP. The opening and closing tracks are well-crafted and stand out with a fresh sound. Without these standout moments, I don’t think this project would be anything special.
This is just the standard edition, though, so it’ll be interesting to see if the deluxe edition makes any significant improvements or changes to the overall vibe.
DELUXE REVIEW:
Honestly, this deluxe edition is a step above the standard version. The extra tracks on Ice Spice’s deluxe EP actually add a lot to the overall listening experience. She really steps up her game by showing more versatility across most of the songs. Instead of just focusing on her “baddie” persona, she opens up about more personal topics, which is a refreshing change and adds depth to her artistry. The production is also a big improvement; the beats are more sonically pleasing and feel more fully developed, giving the tracks a better overall vibe.
The Nicki Minaj feature on “Princess Diana” is solid, but at the end of the day, it’s still just an okay song—nothing mind-blowing. On the other hand, the freestyle at the end of the record is a real standout. Ice Spice delivers some strong bars with no ad-libs, and it’s clear she’s really focused and going in. However, the song’s production gets a bit muddled—there’s a clash between the backing vocals and the beat that disrupts the flow, making it hard to fully enjoy.
There’s definitely some good stuff here, but the overall pacing and album flow are still a bit off. There’s a lot that needs to be reworked or cut entirely to give the project a tighter feel. Despite this, it’s an improvement over the original release, and I’m now genuinely more interested in seeing where she goes with her future projects.
STANDARD RATING: 6.5/10 DELUXE RATING: 7/10
NOTIABLE TRACKS:
In Ha Mood
Munch(Feelin U)
How High