An Interview With Klein About Road Rap, Grime, Reality TV, and Whatever Else

"Pitchfork: I think the silences and background chatter on sleep with a cane trip me out sometimes. It's almost like I'm listening to someone listen to the album, which makes it feel realistic and dreamy at the same time. Is that intentional? Klein: It's like that newer Top Boy. When Drake took over, one of the main things I didn't like was the lack of a score, but upon watching it again it kind of works."

"It's like that newer Top Boy. When Drake took over, one of the main things I didn't like was the lack of a score, but upon watching it again it kind of works. Because the music that does play just feels like the music people would actually play off their phone, so it makes it quite realistic. I'd like to see a film go fuck it and take away the score. I don't need manipulative music to guide me."

Silence and ambient background sounds are used to create realism and intimacy in music and film, favoring diegetic music over manipulative scoring. A filmmaker delayed adding a score because music felt too easy and intrusive. Examples cited include Top Boy's naturalistic soundtrack, criticism of The Whale's insistence on sad music, and Love Island's comfortable silence during extended dialogue. A gallery visit led to a long conversation about music, with references to UK rap (Shxdow's "My Story") and shared watchlists. The musician's personality alternates between bubbly and serious when discussing artistic intentions and hip-hop influences.

Read at Pitchfork