Death Grips’ new album reinforces the group as one of the decade’s most inventive acts. Since 2011, they’ve consistently released music that transcends genre and continues to evolve. Year of the Snitch stands as a notable addition to their growing catalogue, and may be the trio’s most experimental album.
While other Death Grips releases tend to have their own identifiable characteristic, Year of the Snitch basks in its complete variation of sounds. The album follows no clear path sonically; it’s a mixed bag of lo-fi electro sounds, jazz fusion, punk, and hip hop. Songs, and often sections within songs, stand in complete contrast to each other. MC Ride is ice cool under electro tracks like ‘Linda’s in Custody’ and the more hip hop centric ‘Streaky’, and then in complete hysteria in the frenetic ‘ShitShow’. What remains a constant is Death Grips’ cryptic lyrical style which never fails to intrigue and disturb. The most rock-orientated track ‘Black Paint’ hits hard with distorted guitars and aggressive lyrics. The urgent and chaotic closing track ‘Disappointed’ also packs a punch and leaves the listener feeling quite the opposite.
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