While everyone is analyzing Kendrick Lamar’s new album as if it’s some brilliant, new scientific discovery, I thought I’d say a few words about Earl Sweatshirt’s new album, I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside. I mean, hey, I love Kendrick’s album, but let’s give some other rappers attention, too. And Earl Sweatshirt is more than worthy of your time. This is a great album, killer tunes from front to back. One highlight is the opening track, “Huey,” which has beats that fans of his album Doris (like me) are sure to love. No, they’re not trap. They’re big, punchy beats, clobbering you in a way that makes you give the song your full attention. The song isn’t about much of anything, more like various recollections that flow like Beatnik poetry. (If you don’t believe me, go find them on Genius and give them a read.) But that’s just fine, the track serves as a nice introduction to the album. “Mantra” is also noteworthy and calls to mind classic Ice Cube, even the old NWA cuts. It would seem to be about people around you changing, “surrounded with a gaggle of 100 fucking thousand kids.” Later, “AM // Radio,” featuring Wiki from RATKING, has sonorous beats but the sounds around them do call to mind old AM radio from the ’70’s. Interestingly, the song also has a PM part, which is an instrumental with a soulful vibe. If you like classic rap, like Cube and Ice T, you’re in for a real treat with this album. And, seriously, you ought to check it out if you’re into Beat poetry. If Keroauc was still alive today, his poetry might read like this album’s lyrics. A must have for serious rap fans, especially those who are tiring of trap.
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