In everything I’ve heard from Shriekin’ (a.k.a. Shriekin’ Specialist), I’m always shocked at how epic and massive his compositions can feel even though they’re being made from tiny, sound effect-y samples, like some sprawling Game Boy Color game. With “Port Harcourt,” the grime producer pulls the original both sillier and lower brow, and more “orchestral” and higher brow. Although there are a ton of sounds being heard in the track, the silence in between is so palpable, which for me, is the most effective part. I think that emptiness does deaden the style for some listeners, but Shriekin’ is more concerned with the full journey, which is why I think his work is best appreciated when he has even more time to showcase it (Check out the 100% Shriekin’ Boxed Mix).
The longer you listen, the more you realize how the perceived emptiness is a style rather than a void of feeling. Although by no means do I discount how Port Harcourt creates an emotionally effective beginning, middle, and end. And with mostly beeps and boops.
• Kakarot: https://soundcloud.com/kakarotmakesmusic
• Shriekin’: https://soundcloud.com/shriekin
• Local Action Records: https://soundcloud.com/localactionrecords
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