"Fashion Week" – Death Grips (2015)
The Vibe: A Glitchy Runway in a Digital Purgatory
Released unexpectedly as a series of instrumentals while fans were agonizing over the wait for The Powers That B, "Fashion Week" is Death Grips at their most skeletal and rhythmic. It’s a strobe-lit odyssey through a cyberpunk warehouse—pure adrenaline without the abrasive vocal delivery of MC Ride. It feels like a high-fashion catwalk held in a basement where the walls are made of CRT monitors.
Standout Tracks
• "Runway J": A masterclass in tension. It features a driving, industrial beat layered with soaring synth melodies that feel strangely triumphant. It’s the sound of a machine learning how to feel joy.
• "Runway N (1)": This track leans into the "dance" aspect of the band's sound. It’s bouncy and kinetic, driven by a frantic electronic pulse that makes it impossible to sit still, despite the underlying sense of technological dread.
• "Runway E (1)": One of the most aggressive cuts on the project. It’s built around a crushing, distorted bassline and stuttering percussion that reminds you this is still the most "dangerous" band in experimental music.
• "Runway W": A jittery, nervous track that sounds like a computer having a panic attack. It perfectly captures the band's ability to turn chaos into a structured, mesmerizing groove.
The Sound
The production is cold, sharp, and intensely digital. Without vocals to anchor the tracks, the focus shifts entirely to Zach Hill’s inhumanly complex drumming patterns (even when programmed) and Andy Morin’s jagged, neon-tinted synth work. It’s "cleaner" than their earlier mixtapes, favoring piercing high-end frequencies and surgical precision over raw lo-fi distortion.
The Verdict
"Fashion Week" is more than just a soundtrack for a nonexistent clothing line; it’s a fascinating look at the rhythmic engine that drives Death Grips. While some might miss the lyrical intensity, the instrumentals stand alone as a compelling, high-energy exploration of electronic music. It’s stylish, relentless, and serves as the perfect palate cleanser for those who want the "death" without the "grips."
Final Rating: 7.5/10
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