On Halloween Day 2017, U.K. grime rapper Skepta issued his Vicious EP, a six-track attack of bass-heavy, highly effective hype music. Following his critically acclaimed fourth LP, 2016's Mercury Prize-winning Konnichiwa, Vicious finds Skepta hungry, boastful, and a still-formidable lyricist, blending local slang and patois with a bevy of pop culture references. On opener "Still," he returns to the estate triumphant, reminding listeners that "We win awards, come home and Attack the Block/John Boyega when I'm acting up." Later, on the booming "Hypocrisy," he brags "I got fifteen different iPhones but I'm still not phoney." EP standout "No Security" is addictive and undulating, an updated version of a 2016 freestyle where Skepta channels both Bristol trip-hop legend Tricky and Compton MC Kendrick Lamar. Elsewhere, a handful of guests bring spice with their verses, notably Lil B on the popping "Sit Down" and South London crew Section Boyz on "Worst," a hyperactive posse cut. High-profile appearances by A$AP Rocky and Nast on "Ghost Ride" elevate the track, adding menace and grit to an already spooky highlight. That Halloween vibe runs throughout Vicious, with references to "redrum," Jason, Freddy Krueger, and more peppered atop aggressive and often intense production. As a morsel to tide fans over until his Konnichiwa follow-up, Vicious serves its purpose as a reminder of Skepta's skill and inimitable presence, a tight dose of energy from the grime icon. ~ Neil Z. Yeung, Rovi

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