Chris Ingalls: Daveed Diggs has rightfully established himself as an eclectic powerhouse thanks to his Grammy- and Tony-winning performance in Hamilton, and returning to his experimental hip-hop outfit Clipping. is a reassuring sign that he’s not content resting on his laurels. From their upcoming album Splendor and Misery, “Baby Don’t Sleep” is full of restless sonic experiments like static, distortion and myriad sound effects, but it’s Diggs’ rapid-fire rhymes that tie the whole thing together. For anyone who thinks hip-hop is getting stale, listen to this refreshing revelation. [8/10]
Steve Horowitz: If you can’t trust your body, and who really can, than you might as well become part of the machine. Asking a baby not to sleep suggests being awake and alert is a viable option, but I’m not too sure. Living with illusions may be preferable. “Clipping” works best as an art project to be viewed at a museum—the video seems essential—than as music. The sounds begin to dull the mind and paradoxically put one to sleep with their sameness rather than wake one up. [6/10]
Chad Miller: Honestly, I think this piece would have worked much better as an instrumental track. The horror-themed music was cool, but the rapping did absolutely nothing to add to
it. It took most of the effect out of the music as opposed to the probable intent of it adding to the rapping. [5/10]
Clipping.’s new album, Splendor and Misery, releases September 9th via Sub Pop Records.
SCORE: 6.33