21 Savage Big Movie 'Spiral' EP Amounts To A Slaughter Gang Lowlight Reel

Just as gore-filled horror film Spiral: From The Book of Saw starring Samuel L. Jackson and Chris Rock helps the Saw franchise surpass $1 billion in global box-office revenue, 21 Savage and his Slaughter Gang imprint had a coming out party through Spiral: From The Book Of Saw soundtrack.

Despite the easy murder-music tie-in, the four-track EP feels more like a forced PR campaign/soft launch for 21 Savage’s burgeoning Slaughter Gang roster of artists.

There’s not much spooky or suspenseful to the project nor does it evoke vibes of serial killer mind-game theme music. The Slaughter King’s title track even samples Charlie Clouser’s classic series’ classic composition to little effect. The ratcheting hi-hats and thunderous 808-bass drums of 21’s solo “Spiral” title track give it a 21 Savage feel but don’t offer anything out of the ordinary from his skill set.

Honestly, Spiral: From The Book Of Saw Soundtrack truly has nothing to do with the actual film, like at all — but all the tracks still hit-hard in their own right without being impressive all the same.

Of the quartet of songs featured on the release “Down Bad” featuring London-bred songstress Millie Go Lightly, who most notably contributed to Young Thug’s Beautiful Thugger Girls album in 2017, is the most cinematic sonically — mainly because of Millie’s distorted yet angelic vocal intro to the record.

Slaughter Gang reps 21 Lil Harold, SG Tip, and Real Recognize Rico all hold their own respectively yet fail to truly deliver memorable bars on the record.

The sneaky organ riffs coupled with Young Nudy’s violently catchy hook-work and rambunctious verses on “You Ain’t Hard” also afford the front half of the EP an extra source of emphatically trap-leaning energy similar to 21 Savage’s 2020 Savage Mode II project with Metro Boomin.

“Emergency” — helmed by the undeniable all-star trio of Gunna, Young Thug and 21 Savage — is riddled with street lingo but lacks general continuity with the murderous theme of the film. There’s not much of a sense of urgency associated with the title — other than the overwhelming urge to head-bang throughout each spin.

If anything, the records on Spiral: From The Book Of Saw Soundtrack are fit for playlists of the Hellcat-driving scammers and trap-n-track stars of the world.

Just probably not for hardcore Saw fans looking for the music to match the cleverness of the films.

Repeat Me:

Young Nudy – “You Ain’t Hard”

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