Earl Sweatshirt – SICK!
Released: 14 January 2022
Is SICK! Earl Sweatshirt’s most complete project?
For now, Earl seems to have stepped away from the off-kilter flow he’s been using the past 2-3 years since Some Rap Songs, while still maintaining the abstract/“weird” quality that makes his music so attractive. On “Lobby (int)” and “Titanic”, Earl steps onto trap-influenced bass and drums – which I had never heard him on before; while on the title track “SICK!“, Earl maintains the MIKE-esque “weirdness” that accompanies Tan Crisseda music. while staying completly in-pocket rhythmically.
All in all, SICK! is a solid mix between old & new as Earl delivers his best project, in my opinion!
★★★★: Excellent; recommended to all fans of artist or genre.
Rating Categories:
★★★★★: Best in show; pinnacle release from an all-time great artist.
★★★★1/2: Stellar example of genre; peak potential.
★★★★: Excellent; recommended to all fans of artist or genre.
★★★1/2: Very good; a few bland songs or minor flaws throughout.
★★★: Good; fans of the artist will find value here.
★★1/2: Average; does little to establish the artist or maintain quality.
★★: Unexceptional; a few highlights but otherwise bland.
★1/2: Weak; unrecommended for anyone but major fans of the style and/or artist.
★: Seriously flawed; very poor work but relatively listenable.
1/2: Terrible; a true embarrassment and akin to audio masochism.