New experimental hip hop from JPEGMAFIA and Clipping, among other exciting tracks.
THE BEST:
‘Jesus Forgive Me, I Am A Thot’
– JPEGMAFIA
Baltimore experimental rap weirdo JPEGMAFIA
is releasing a new album and he’s told fans that it will be ‘wack’ and that
they should ‘expect disappointment’. This is the first single and, despite JPEGMAFIA’s
clear intentions, it’s not very disappointing. The production is so disjointed
that it almost gave me a brain aneurysm and yet Peggy’s singing in the chorus
is quite pretty and almost smooth. The result is some noise-rap/R&b hybrid.
Oh, and the lyrics are completely outrageous: ‘Pray that these crackers don’t
Columbine’.
‘Nothing is Safe’ – Clipping.
Hungry for more experimental rap?
You’re in luck, because Clipping. are back. Daveed Diggs continues to display
his knack for gloomy storytelling, this time accompanied by some stabbing
high-pitched pianos and spooky synths. I kept expecting some harsh noise to
creep in, but I guess they’re over that now (which isn’t a bad thing).
‘Carry On’ – DGTL CLR
Still hungry for more experimental
rap? You greedy fat pig. This new song ‘Carry On’ from DGTL CLR isn’t really experimental
rap, but it’s close enough. In fact, this song doesn’t really fit neatly into
any genre. The wobbling bass and punchy drums create a uniquely intense
backdrop for the rapidly flowing vocals on top. This then breaks away for
a more melodic indie-style chorus. I'm intrigued to know where this musician will go next.
‘Going Norway’ – Girl Band
Girl Band are an all-male four-piece
group from Ireland. Their music is on the very noise end of noise rock – there’s
not much melody going on with those guitars. However, what they lack in melody,
they make up for in creative rhythm-building, throwing in various rattles and
clanks and whirs. There are also guitar noises towards the end of this track
that I’ve never heard before – and that’s quite the challenge in 2019. The
creepy video is also worth a watch.
‘Daylight’ – Mother Sun
Kamloops psych-rock outfit Mother
Sun are championing an equally unique rock sound. Surf-flavoured guitars and loopy
organs play out over some frenetic percussion accompanied by some vocals that
feel almost Strokes-esque. It comes straight off the band’s upcoming album Caramel Clouds, which is out August 23rd.
THE WORST:
‘Sell Your Soul To The Devil’ –
S.H.O.U.T
I try not to pick on songs from amateur
musicians, but this track really is something else. What the hell is happening
at 1:23?