Virality, it could be assumed, is a gift and a curse. Hit big online and channel that momentum into mainstream appeal, then the work comes: How does an artist sustain success? Ice Spice, the Bronx rapper with the too-cool-for-school, lackadaisical flow, knows a thing or two about the topic. First came the raunchy “Munch (Feelin’ U),” with its delightful dismissal of “You thought I was feeling you?” Then there was the effortless SpongeBob SquarePants- referencing “Bikini Bottom.”

Her 2023 debut EP, “Like..?,” produced by collaborator RiotUSA, further confirmed her talents; “Boy’s a Liar, Pt. 2” with U.K. hyperpop- garage producer-artist PinkPantheress became the song of the summer. Ice Spice, in two years, has become a four-time Grammy nominee — and one of the most divisive names in mainstream rap — before she even released an album.

“Y2K!” is Ice Spice’s first full-length project. At the core of the record is her immediately meme-able, booty-shaking bars, ripe for internet consumption.

A few songs directly recall the Ice Spice listeners have grown to know: “Think U the S— (Fart)” leans into her playfulness while maintaining her bravado. “Think you the s—?” Ice Spice asks. “You not even the fart.” “Gimme A Light” samples Sean Paul’s dancehall classic “Gimme a Light.”

Across the release’s 23 minutes, drill is still a priority, as she mentions on “Gimme a Light”: “Let’s talk drill/ Who bigger than she?” she posits. Brevity is the rapper’s strong suit — she knows how brief modern attention spans can be, and she cuts the fat across the album.

Her previously released single “Phat Butt” might’ve been the clearest tease of some new sonic explorations in the world of Ice Spice, still one indebted to Nicki Minaj. She launches into a quick nod to Minaj’s “Beez in the Trap” in the intro and works in a sample of the 2005 hit “I Think They Like Me” by rap group Dem Franchize Boyz with Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat and Bow Wow. Closer “TTYL” sees Ice Spice raising her voice for a rare rap-rock kiss-off.

Collaborations are sparingly used: the self-referential “Oh Shhh…” with Travis Scott, the hard- hitting “Bitch I’m Packin’ ” with Gunna, and the infidelity-revenge anthem “Did It First” featuring the hottest rapper right now, Central Cee.

Across “Y2K!”, Ice Spice flexes her flow and traverses new territory. This is the New York rapper further manicuring her unique point of view, offering listeners a short and sweet album. — Maria Sherman, Associated Press

For more than half a century, British guitarist Richard Thompson has created albums filled with curious characters, love laments, dark humor and peerless guitar work.

That makes each release a cause for celebration, including his most recent record, “Ship to Shore.” It ends a five-year recording hiatus, the longest break of Thompson’s career. His typically prolific pace was slowed in part by the completion of his engaging 2021 memoir, “Beeswing: Losing My Way and Finding My Voice 1967-1975.”

“Ship to Shore” has been worth the wait because the album meets his consistently high standard while sounding like no one else. He has never sung better, and his jagged solos are concise, constant marvels.

The mood is gloomy, as usual for Thompson, with much of the music in a minor key as he sings about demons and ghosts, fear and dread, hard times, PTSD and heartache — lots of heartache. Love blinds, causes confusion and melts away. “Romance,” he concludes, “is overrated” in the song “Trust.”

Highlights include “Turnstile Casanova,” driven by a bright guitar hook, and “Life’s a Bloody Show,” the tale of a dead soul who bears a resemblance to “Fergus Laing,” the scoundrel in a 2015 Thompson song of the same name that was soon overtaken by actual events.

The set opens with the shanty “Freeze,” a call to stay active. Thompson, 75, follows that advice, and on the closing “We Roll,” he reflects on suitcase living that’s a result of his concert schedule.

“I must be crazy,” the road warrior muses, but there are new songs to be sung. — Steven Wine, Associated Press