EP Review: Like..? by Ice Spice

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(Photo Credit: Ice Spice)

Internet sensation Isis Gaston, better known as Ice Spice, has finally released her debut EP Like..?. Released on January 25, only a few hours after it was announced, Like..? includes some of Ice Spice’s iconic singles such as “Munch” and “Bikini Bottom,” as well as some new tracks like “Princess Diana” and “Gangsta Boo.” Like..? is a short but sweet EP that reminds us all why we love Ice Spice.

Ice Spice’s upbringing in Bronx, New York heavily inspired her music, which primarily belongs to the Bronx drill genre. Ice Spice started off her music career as a SoundCloud rapper. She gained traction with her song “Name of Love,” sampling Bebe Rexha and Martin Garrix’s “In the Name of Love.”

Like..? starts with the viral hit “In Ha Mood,” released only a few weeks prior to the entire EP. If you have been scrolling through social media recently, you have probably seen two white dogs dancing to a remix of this song. This selection tells you everything you need to know about Ice Spice, showing her confidence proudly. It is no wonder why this track has gone viral on social media: the lyrics are easy to sing along to, and Ice Spice comes off as incredibly charming.

The next track, “Princess Diana,” is also a staple of the EP. The song takes its name from Diana, Princess of Wales, who was known as “the people’s princess” while part of the British royal family in the 1980s and ‘90s. Both she and Ice Spice have mass cultural appeal due to their openness, causing fans to dub Ice Spice as this generation’s Princess Diana. Ice Spice gladly accepts this title; resulting in a catchy track that keeps listeners hooked. The song continues Ice Spice’s drill beats and classic confidence; she is a princess, and she knows it.

The EP proceeds with the only collaboration, “Gangsta Boo” with Lil Tjay and “Actin A Smoochie.” Both songs feature the themes present within the EP: Ice Spice is still a baddie, still rich, famous and ready to steal everyone’s significant other. These tracks are where the cracks of EP’s flaws start appearing. If you listen to these songs continuously, they become repetitive. Although each song has a unique beat, they all fall within the typical Ice Spice formula. This is great for listening to the songs individually, but when listening back to back, they start to mesh together.

These songs are not bad by themselves, but their placement in the EP hurts them. “Gangsta Boo” is good, but its beat is eerily similar to that of “Bikini Bottom,” a much more iconic song on the EP. “Actin A Smoochie” is a strong track on its own, but again, it falls into Ice Spice’s usual formula. It won’t turn an Ice Spice hater into a fan.

The album ends the way it started, with two viral tracks. “Bikini Bottom,” the second to last song, is my favorite song in this EP. The Spongebob beat strangely works for a song like this one. How could I lose if I’m already chosen?

The last song is the classic “Munch,” which needs no introduction. This song is what made Ice Spice go from viral to truly famous. It has changed the general language of the public, just like Shakespeare, and is popular for a reason.

Although Ice Spice’s EP Like..? is somewhat repetitive, it has no songs that I would say are objectively bad. Each selection contains Ice Spice’s charm and swagger, which is essential to her brand. If you have heard one of Ice Spice’s songs and liked it, I suggest giving this EP a listen! I can most definitely say that I am a munch after listening to Like..?.