Earl Sweatshirt - SICK!

Tan Cressida

Earl returns for the first time since 2018's warped 'Some Rap Songs'. Continuing on in the same fashion, sullen sounds and cryptic lyrics are put to the forefront on 'SICK!'. These sullen sounds have silver linings, however. The storm isn't as close as it may seem.

Joined by acts such as Zeloopers, The Alchemist and Armand Hammer you would think that some of the shine would be taken from the main man, but the features are pulled into Earl's universe, bolstering the overall product in the process. Harnessing outside forces is a trait that only the best of the best can muster up.

Earl packs more into 25 than most into 60. The length of a project doesn't matter as long as time isn't wasted on things outside of the albums intended purpose and universe. Earl once again goes against the recent surge in 20 track albums produced for streams and revenue. If the product is good, people will play it again and again. Earl intrinsically understands this. You only really release an album with 20 tracks if the album and its concept is warranted - rare occasions. Outside of this its done out of lack of self confidence and a severe lack of people around you who understand that what you're doing isn't beneficial in the long run - yes men in other words.

Earl is building something of a supreme discography - in and around the upper echelons of rap royalty. It exists both in and outside of the Hip-Hop landscape. It's most definitely tied to Hip-Hop heritage, however as the years go by he seems to pull further and further away from said convention. Experimentation leading to earthly delights.

Notable Tracks: 2010, Fire in the Hole