Horrorcore and cyberpunk rap trio .clipping—Daveed Diggs on vocals, with producers William Hutson and Jonathan Snipes—have spent the past decade perched on the fringes of hip-hop, crafting abrasive, noise-laden soundscapes and intricate narratives. With critically lauded releases like CLPPNG, the dystopian Splendor & Misery, and the horrorcore duology There Existed an Addiction to Blood and Visions of Bodies Being Burned, they’ve built a reputation for turning sonic chaos into high art. Their latest effort, Dead Channel Sky, somewhat softens the edges without compromising their immersive chaos.
After a short intro, “Dominator” kicks things off with a nod to Public Enemy, setting a militant, 80s rave-rock tone that pulses through the album. Tracks like “Change the Channel” and “Run It” keep the energy frenetic, with Diggs’s razor-sharp flow slicing through jungle drums, glitchy noise, and booming 808s. “Code” offers a brief reprieve, bathing heavy beats in swirling synthwave textures, while “Dodger” returns to .clipping’s familiar chaos with frantic rhythms and breakbeat stabs.
Guest contributions add intriguing layers: Nels Cline’s no-wave guitar freakout on “Malleus” feels perfectly at home amidst the group’s jagged aesthetic, while Tia Nomore’s appearance on the glitch-heavy “Scams” brings a manic urgency. “Keep Pushing” surprises with its string-laden outro, a rare and poignant moment that hints at uncharted emotional depths.
Not every risk pays off. Interludes filled with interesting sounds ultimately feel disposable, and tracks like “Welcome Home Warrior” build intensity but fail to deliver a satisfying climax. Still, the closer, “Ask What Happened,” pulls everything together with cinematic ambition, blending rapid-fire bars, dense production, and an epic surge of noise that verges on symphonic.
Dead Channel Sky reshapes .clipping just enough to intrigue. By leaning into danceable 80s influences while retaining their abrasive, dystopian edge, they manage a rare feat: making experimental hip-hop just a bit more inviting and maybe even *GASP!*... commercial. It’s not flawless, but it’s undeniably compelling.
Genre: Hip Hop
Release date: March 14th, 2025
Produced by: clipping., Steve Kaplan
Label: Sub Pop
Rating: 7/10
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