The beauty in Clams Casino’s sound derives from a lack thereof. His seminal production, the beat from A$AP Rocky’s “Wassup,” is inherently contradictory as he stretches ambient soundscapes scattered across rumbling bass textures and indistinct vocal moans. Clams’ character is spread throughout Rocky’s introductory mixtape, giving each track bearing the Casino title a woozy, codeine haze, an acute vision that gives the rapper a different flavor. Unsurprisingly, A$AP’s rise to hip-hop royalty made Clams Casino a household name in rap production, bringing his style to everyone from Lil B to Mac Miller.
Now the Brooklyn native finds himself taking over a new arena: a video game. Grand Theft Auto V puts the track on Flying Lotus’ station, Flylo FM, among other famed electro producers like Aphex Twin and DJ Rashad. Still, Clams’ first track in over a year stands out in the stellar playlist. It’s characteristically similar to his previous work yet considerably divergent. “Crystals” has Clams exploring newer and more interesting destinations to push his sound. The bass rattles harder against a Burial-esque synth melody while voices pierce through the drones. With this new direction, Clams Casino’s rap production stock will eventually skyrocket. Expect to see his name alongside Kendrick Lamar in the near future.