It's not particularly surprising that a clipping. record boasts a rich blend of sounds, especially after two decades of the experimental hip-hop group's existence. However, the specific qualities of the sounds assembled on 'Dead Channel Sky' evoke a distinct Y2K retrofuturist vibe: the album opens with the sound of a dial-up modem, and ‘Change The Channel’ features industrial percussion and synth tones reminiscent of ‘90s video game soundtracks. This combination captures the exciting, optimistic energy associated with the early internet for mainstream audiences—particularly highlighted by the charming delivery of “mainframe” in ‘Go’. The effect is a powerful gut-punch that outweighs the plethora of complaints about ‘doomscrolling’ and ‘screen time’ found elsewhere. As the album progresses, the references take a darker turn: observe the “microchip in your neck” in ‘Dodger’; the “Politicians in the pocket” in ‘Scams’; or the haunting refrain “Don’t let him die / Don’t let him die / Don’t let him die / Oh he dead” in ‘Mood Organ’. Musically, industrial beats contrast with softer melodies. For instance, ‘Keep Pushing’ features a beautiful piano line and soaring strings that impart a sense of romance, while ‘Welcome Home Warrior’—featuring Aesop Rock—mixes pop chord progressions with an Arctic Monkeys-style bassline. If this sounds overwhelming, rest assured that ‘Dead Channel Sky’ is both challenging and rewarding, characterized by its diverse standout tracks. ‘Mirrorshades pt. 2’ is a campy highlight, with a glitchy house beat and repetitive lyrics (focusing on the omnipresence of the titular reflective glasses) making it equally suited to a holiday club anthem or a Saturday Night Live parody. In contrast, the closing track ‘Ask What Happened’ is profoundly human and raw, featuring a drum’n’bass beat that grows increasingly suffocating while an ethereal synth line underpins a heartfelt history lesson (“Trickle-down Monopoly money / It’s just a game, nope,” repeats the chorus; “History and future belong to the one percent though”). Cinematic storytelling is a hallmark for clipping., and with a vocalist on the brink of an EGOT, the epic nature of 'Dead Channel Sky' as a rollercoaster big-screen thriller is entirely expected—and yet it truly stands as an epic masterpiece.
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The enjoyment may have ended, but the celebration is only beginning.
A monthly emphasis on the essential components of the exciting new music scene.
The album will feature his earlier singles ‘Silverlines’ and ‘Born With A Broken Heart’.
A monumental work of art.