RICO NASTY'S LETHAL ALBUM REVIEW

The release of 'TEETHSUCKER (YEA3x)', the first single of LETHAL, was a highly anticipated moment for Rico Nasty's fans. It signalled her return with a trap-rock song that brought back her unique vibe and energy, which had been eagerly awaited since 2022's Las Ruinas. Despite a series of singles in the interim, TEETHSUCKER (YEA3x) marked a new chapter for Rico, leading towards her third album, LETHAL. The 15-track album introduces a slightly more refined sound, leaning towards a rock tone, and once again showcases a different side of her artistry. 

'WHO WANT IT' sets the tone for what is to be expected from LETHAL. The energetic and hard-hitting track welcomes listeners into the project, followed by the singles' TEETHSUCKER (YEA3x)' and 'ON THE LOW'. You'll notice how the songs transition and flow into each other as you listen, creating a seamless listening experience. Despite the different sonic tones on the album, there is a strong sense of cohesion that runs from the beginning to the end, uniting the tracks into a single, continuous narrative. 

This album marked an era change for Rico, who recently signed a new record deal with rock label Fueled By Ramen. Although her rock influence has never been absent from her music, it feels much louder and more present on LETHAL than in her previous material. That being said, there are still moments that allow for different sides of Rico to come through, leaning into her hyperpop vibe 'ON The LOW', not to mention 'PINK', which brings that Sugar Trap 2 vibe. 'SON OF A GUN' and 'SMOKE BREAK' are the rock-heavy ones on the album. 'CRASH' feels reminiscent of a 00s Blink-182-esque pop-punk inspired sound. 'YOU COULD NEVER' and album closer 'SMILE' bring a gentler and softer tone to the album.

Overall, Rico's album continues to celebrate her artistry. She has described it as "my most cohesive (and authentic) body of work to date." The album shows how Rico continues not to play it safe and continuously experiments with her sound and musical styles, whatever the outcome. 

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