Review Summary: Not something your grandmother would appreciate.
For a 15 year old, I really shouldn't even be listening to Earl Sweatshirt -- or any of Odd Future for that matter. I'd be willing to wager that there aren't two songs that aren't about sex, drugs, skateboarding, rape or murder, and Earl is definitely not an exception to that.
First hearing of Odd Future from a classmate who was a big hypebeast regular back around early 2010, I wasn't sure of what to make of it. Especially when hearing the obscenely named 'Assmilk'. But that very foul titled track is what got me hooked on OFWGKTA, and more importantly, Earl Sweatshirt.
EARL is not something you'd want to play when your parents are vising. With rude lyrics, dark beats and don'tgivea*** attitude, it's definitely not the kind of music that'd be ideal to listen to, but I believe that's what gives the whole album it's charm.
While lyrically it's disturbing upon first listening to it, after listening to the album a few times over, what Earl and company rap about almost begin to seem normal. Almost. Like previously mentioned, talk about sex, drugs, skateboarding, rape and murder are all present and accounted for. On top of that, there are lyrics about mixing decomposed bodies and scat in a pan and then eating it followed by something about black chicks and cat fish. Despite how strange and obscene the lyrics are, he's far from being on the levels of Nas, or Rakim (though it's a real unfair comparison considering how young Earl is), some fantastic wordplay is present.
Accompanying his rapping are dark beats containing almost dusty sounding piano licks rolling drums beats and the ever occasional synth. All perfectly fitting with Earl's smooth yet rough at times flow, the basic reason why he's able to rap about such weird ***, while still making it entertaining. That, and actual catchy beats found on Moonlight and Pigions. Altogether, creating the delicious cocktail that is
EARL that I can't get enough of.
(Please note, this is my first review of any sort of music, and I'm actually using my brothers Sputnik Music account)
