On his fifth album, Vince Staples returns to his hometown of Long Beach, Calif. to reflect on his connections with the hood. Ramona Park Broke My Heart, offers a look into the connections he holds with the place, balanced with with themes of loss and love. It’s surprisingly not as heavy of a listen as one might expect, but it exceeds at illustrating his dedication to his home the people he’s most loyal to nonetheless.

Ramona Park is a companion piece to 2021’s self-titled LP, which he created around the same time. The opens with the soothing crash of waves on “THE BEACH.” The growing sound of a cheering crowd builds and is subsequently cut off by a guitar- and organ-led instrumental. Vince raps about the titular park, painting a scene for what listeners can expect going in. The song winds down to the sounds of gunshots and canned laughter.

On “AYE! (FREE THE HOMIES),” we hear electric guitar fingerpicking over finger snaps. Vince expresses appreciation for his hometown and the people with whom he surrounded himself growing up while proclaiming his desire to “free the homies.”

We get a chopped and screwed sample of DJ Quick’s “Dollaz + Sense” on “DJ Quick.” The song quickly picks up into a deep, funky bass line. Vince reflects how he feels like his character has remained unchanged after coming into money, but the people around him suspect that he has. “MAGIC” follows this concept with light warping tones that build into a sort of G-funk number on which Vince finds comfort returning to his old block and receiving respect from his peers.

“WHEN SPARKS FLY” appears on its surface to be a love song about a girl. But Vince Staples gradually reveals that he’s rapping about a gun. He’s joined with a fitting snare and kick drum pattern over a smooth bass. This bait and switch recalls Eminem’s “The Darkness,” from 2020’s Music To Be Murdered By. “EAST POINT PRAYER” features the kind of robotic crooning vocals one might expect on a ‘Ye project, overlaying a light piano melody with synthetic snares while Vince reflects on how death could be around any corner. Lil Baby makes an appearance on the tail end of the song with a pleasant sung/rapped verse that fits perfectly.

The sounds of passing cars are paired with a sample discussing the dangers of being attacked in one’s driveway. That opens up into “SLIDE.” Piano and bass playing then pick up the beat. “PAPERCUTS” finds Vince frustrated with people questioning his street credentials because of his celebrity and wealth, while also speculating on the lengths people are willing to go to in order to get money.

Ty Dolla $ign joins in on “LEMONADE,” which features a wavy synth instrumental. Vince reflects on how people are always looking to get the jump on opportunity, even if it means stepping on someone else. The song illustrates his reasoning for caution from “EAST POINT PRAYER,” on which Vince weighs meeting up with a girl who rolls on the other side of town and with a crew unfriendly to him.

“PLAYER WAYS” further builds on themes of trust. Vince and his girl get into it over his loyalty to her (she’s seen him around with other women). “MAMA’S BOY” sees him reflect on his dedication to hip-hop, building relationships and enjoying life. On “BANG THAT,” Vince goes mask-off about his ruthless gangster nature.

The bass-laden “ROSE STREET” is about Vince’s girl and how much she loves him. It’s one of the final uplifting tracks on the album. It’s not the end, however; it’s followed by the aptly titled “THE BLUES,” which features a light electric guitar and the sounds of crashing waves to bookend the album. Vince reflects on how bleak and tragic life on the streets can be. Ramona Park Broke My Heart might not dig deep into Vince Staples’ wounds, but it captures his love for Long Beach and how it shaped him, and places you in the middle of dangerous streets.

Follow editor Tim Hoffman at Twitter.com/hipsterp0tamus.