The Sound of Artistic Horror

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clipping. is a trio I was late to and then kept putting off. Before I knew it, it was October 2025, and I still hadn’t checked them out, even though I’d heard I’d probably like them. I figured there was no better time to finally jump in, and honestly, it’s about time!

Daveed Diggs is the MC for clipping. and has a super rapid-fire flow. As the desolate “Intro” nears its end, Daveed starts flowing, giving you a sample of what he offers and a moment to brace before things kick off with “Say the Name.” “Candle sticks in the dark, visions of bodies being burned” repeats for the hook as the beat thumps before Daveed starts in. Though he’s relatively tame on this track compared to others, it’s one of my favorite tracks here, and only the tip of the iceberg.

This album definitely works for a Halloween listen. The production is quiet, creaky, menacing, and grim. Yet, that might also be my biggest critique. Sometimes a beat tries too hard to be unique; this album tiptoes that line and sometimes stumbles. Nothing here is as bad as some experimental music I’ve heard, but there are elements across the album that distract me. That might even be the purpose, but I’m not required to like it just because of the intention. “Make Them Dead” and “She Bad” are two of the biggest examples of the beats distracting me, and even then, I can’t say they featured my favorite Daveed verses or songs.

This is an interesting album and a unique listen. Sometimes, that’s the kind of description I’d give to a record I don’t like but still recognize the artistry on. However, this album I actually still like quite a bit. I don’t want them to change anything about their style, but perhaps some minor refinement would help. But I also don’t think this album is supposed to be a typical listen, so I think they hit the mark they aimed for—it just wasn’t 100% my marker they hit.

Standout Tracks: Say the Name, Something Underneath, & Check the Lock

Album Rating: ⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️ (7/10)