Playboi Carti’s King Vamp (Narcissist Tour): Studio Setlist is a 12-track album that runs 46 minutes and doubles as a live document of his tour. It is not a studio record pretending to be a live one — it is a live record with a production polish that makes it sound like a studio album. The title suggests a vanity project, and in some ways it is, but the music underneath is sharp enough that the self-regard mostly earns its place.
The album opens with “Stop Breathing,” a slow, heavy track that sets the tone for the record’s mix of menace and melody. It is followed by “Rockstar Made,” a track that leans into the rock influence that has defined Carti’s recent work, and “JumpOutTheHouse,” a brief, energetic interlude that functions as a palate cleanser before the heavier cuts. “New Tank” and “Punk Monk” continue the trend, with the latter showing off Carti’s ability to blend hard rap with a melodic hook.
“Teen X” is one of the record’s best moments, a track that balances aggression with a pop sensibility without losing its edge. “Die4Guy” follows, a shorter track that keeps the energy high without overstaying its welcome. “wokeuplikethis*” slows things down, a moody, atmospheric cut that shows a different side of Carti’s range. “Vamp Anthem” is a quick, direct track that works as a mission statement for the album’s title.
“Shoota” and “Over” form the album’s emotional core. Both are built around melodic hooks, with “Over” being the standout — it is the kind of track that could work as a single on its own. The album closes with a second version of “JumpOutTheHouse” and an extended version of “Teen X,” which stretches the original’s runtime while keeping the same arrangement.
Opening With “Stop Breathing”
The record starts with “Stop Breathing,” a slow, heavy track that sets the tone for the album’s mix of menace and melody. It is a deliberate opener, one that signals the album’s intent to balance hard rap with melodic hooks.
“Rockstar Made” follows, leaning into the rock influence that has defined Carti’s recent work. It is a track that shows his willingness to borrow from other genres without losing his identity. “JumpOutTheHouse” is a brief, energetic interlude, a palate cleanser that separates the heavier cuts from each other.
The Middle Stretch
“New Tank” and “Punk Monk” continue the trend, with the latter showing off Carti’s ability to blend hard rap with a melodic hook. These tracks are competent but unremarkable, functioning more as connective tissue than as destinations.
“Teen X” is one of the record’s best moments, a track that balances aggression with a pop sensibility without losing its edge. “Die4Guy” follows, a shorter track that keeps the energy high without overstaying its welcome. “wokeuplikethis*” slows things down, a moody, atmospheric cut that shows a different side of Carti’s range. “Vamp Anthem” is a quick, direct track that works as a mission statement for the album’s title.
The Two Best Tracks
“Teen X” and “Over” are the clear highlights. “Teen X” pairs Carti’s rap skills with a chorus that could cross over to pop radio, while “Over” is a pure melodic trap track that shows the range of his voice. “wokeuplikethis*” and “Vamp Anthem” are solid supporting tracks, but they do not reach the same heights as the two lead singles.
“Die4Guy” and “JumpOutTheHouse” are competent but unremarkable, functioning more as connective tissue than as full statements. “New Tank” and “Punk Monk” are the most purely aggressive tracks on the album, and they are effective in their own way, even if they do not stick in the memory as strongly as the melodic cuts.
The Closing Tracks
“Shoota” and “Over” form the album’s emotional core. Both are built around melodic hooks, with “Over” being the standout — it is the kind of track that could work as a single on its own.
The album closes with a second version of “JumpOutTheHouse” and an extended version of “Teen X.” The Richie Souf version of “JumpOutTheHouse” is a pleasant addition, but it is not a reinvention. It is a different arrangement of the same song, and it works because the original was strong enough to support the change.
The extended version of “Teen X” stretches the original’s runtime while keeping the same arrangement. It is a minor touch, but it shows attention to detail.
The Production
The production is consistent throughout. The bass is heavy, the drums are precise, and the melodies sit on top without overwhelming the vocals. Carti’s delivery is the star — he switches between a rapid flow and a more melodic approach depending on the track, and the transitions between the two are smooth.
Critics generally praised the album’s production, delivery, and its ability to balance hard rap with melodic hooks.
That line sums up the critical response to the record. The production is technically strong, but the album’s identity rests on Carti’s personality and presence, and that is what carries the record through its weaker stretches.
The Weak Spots
The album’s weakest moment is the middle stretch, where “New Tank” and “Punk Monk” feel like transitional tracks rather than full statements. They are not bad, but they are the least essential tracks on the record, and they are the ones that will get skipped on repeat listens.
The Richie Souf version of “JumpOutTheHouse” is a pleasant addition, but it is not a reinvention. It is a different arrangement of the same song, and it works because the original was strong enough to support the change.
The Verdict
King Vamp (Narcissist Tour): Studio Setlist is a confident, well-made album that plays to Carti’s strengths while avoiding the pitfalls that have plagued his recent work. The production is polished, the sequencing is smart, and the two standout tracks — “Teen X” and “Over” — are among the best songs he has released in years.
It is not a perfect record. The middle stretch drags, and a few tracks feel like they exist only to fill out the running time. But those flaws are minor compared to the strengths. This is a record that knows exactly what it wants to be, and it delivers on that promise.
8 of 10.
- Stop Breathing4:56
- Rockstar Made4:22
- JumpOutTheHouse2:00
- New Tank2:46
- Punk Monk4:44
- Teen X4:55
- Die4Guy2:37
- wokeuplikethis*4:29
- Vamp Anthem2:27
- Shoota2:46
- Over3:45
- JumpOutTheHouse (Richie Souf version)2:07
- Teen X (extended version)4:55
