The mise en scene of a Glokk40spaz music video tends to function on the same airplane as The Blair Witch Mission. Seemingly deserted properties, sheds, and the remnants of what was human buildings, in the course of nondescript forests, which can be as near civilization as they’re to deeper greenery. For all their variations, the 2 diffuse folklore by fast transmission.
On Glokk’s newest venture, Took The Greatest Danger, this immediacy is bolstered by moments of respite because of manufacturing from SenseiATL, Al Chapo, Dylvinci, and Captain Crunch, which manages to oscillate between twinkly and harrowing. It sharpens the perimeters of Glokk’s prickly sound, whereas permitting him to entry transient moments of vulnerability.
There normally isn’t a stretching or heat up interval on a Glokk40spaz report. Introductions are changed with synthlines that emerge concurrently from swamp and house. Starting certainly one of his tapes is like getting into a automobile that’s already going 80 mph.
And but, on “Sufficient Ammo,” there are almost 15 seconds of damaging house earlier than Glokk delves into his typical flows. This time the synthline is extra ethereal than militant. “Take precaution if you step on this traphouse, solely weapons and medicines allowed,” he warns, inviting listeners to a world that resembles the venture’s cowl artwork: An anarchic hell that Glokk stares into unfazed.
True to his identify, Glokk is spastic. His thoughts is commonly shifting quicker than his tongue, which serves as the muse for his raps, a full-body effort. His first step is lighting, even when messy, like an uber-athletic 6’7 wing who could possibly be the subsequent Kawhi if the jumper comes round.
That is showcased on “Face Card,” a contemporary mutation of Atlanta custom. SenseiATL and Al Chapo weave collectively what feels like a church organ development, completely positioned kick and snares, and ghostly synths, to create a beat that will really feel at dwelling on a late aughts Gucci or Flocka tape. The way in which Glokk enunciates “F&N on me that’s plastic,” is paying homage to a throaty Peewee Longway supply.
The tune’s hook begins slowly — “Band havin’ massive ass sticks on us, come get some/Don’t discuss lil Glokk, my face card A1” — with Glokk digging into every syllable, as if to orient his footing. Immediately, he explodes into subsequent traces, going forwards and backwards with himself till he begins his verse like he was shot out of a cannon: “I’m on the block with these bands, we having hella thirties in our pockets.”
Other than a supply that’s felt somewhat than heard, one thing that units Glokk aside is his willingness to open up about who he’s in spurts. He’ll provide a secret solely to instantly shut again up. On “Forgot My Manners,” he distills a tumultuous upbringing all the way down to the best way he speaks — “It ain’t my fault I grew up on the Southside, fucked up grammar” — and the truth that he by no means “believed in Santa.”
However this high quality is greatest seen on the tracks which can be extra plugg-influenced and laced with autotune. Most of these songs, like “third World”, are extra pensive and the vocal alterations should not simply strategies to attain sure sounds, but in addition enable him to retreat right into a broader vary of emotions. “I’d’ve been there for you and also you picked him, that shit lame,” Glokk croons, whereas afterward, particulars gifting a jail shank to a buddy for Christmas. Moments of supreme openness are juxtaposed in opposition to an ocean of delinquent conduct.
Nonetheless, like most of Glokk’s tasks aside from Spaz&B, Took the largest danger, can really feel bloated and one-track minded. The autotone doesn’t at all times work both, like on “Blame Us,” the place Glokk feels like he’s regurgitating every little thing on his thoughts with bluesy abandon. He fails to underpin the observe with any actual intimacy, other than reflections about his buddy Sumo. It pales compared to a tune like “I Select Violence” or “Be A Man,” two singles from final yr the place Glokk makes use of the identical vocal results virtually as an excuse to bear his soul.
“I obtained felonies no misdemeanor/I’m going by so much and I imply it/And my coronary heart broke is you gon repair it/I obtained love for each gun that I tote/You don’t imply nothing to me no extra,” a standout a part of his verse from the latter encapsulates a type of two steps ahead, one step backward method to emotional transparency.
“I Obtained A Military,” is the venture’s spotlight, outfitted with manufacturing that implies triumph. Its key development units the scene for an underdog to emerge out of a locker room, invigorated. “I’m on the block posted up with hooligans/me and the woah on that god damned silly shit.”
The selection to make use of hooligans right here looks like an announcement of objective, just like Chief Keef detailing his internal circle being uncontrollable and vice versa on “Maintain My Liquor.” A hooligan is liable to lash out emotionally, with no capability to be managed. On the precipice of one thing bigger, Glokk is just performing like a child that was hardened below particular materials circumstances.
