The Mala Noche Recommends: Earl Sweatshirt’s Mind-Boggling "Some Rap Songs"
Written by: Christian Jatar
Earl Sweatshirt has been absent from the rap scene for a good three years. And in those three years, the 24-year-old has evolved into a rapper whose influences shine bright without completely overshadowing his supreme talent. Some Rap Songs (by the way, great fucking title) is a collection of mind-boggling, jazz-fusion inspired tracks that serve as some of the more unique rap songs (yeah, I know) of 2018. While his MF Doom (and at times, Cannibal Ox) inspiration is still very much apparent, especially on cuts like “The Bends” and “Cold Summers,” he still manages to breathe enough life into his darkly honest flows to give his music enough of a unique edge. The themes throughout are that of depression, anxiety, and dealing with the loss of loved ones (Earl’s father passed away in late 2018). He goes through each theme with precise detail and enough candor to make your skin crawl. The whole listening experience might be a bit daunting for the more casual rap heads, but there’s this strange, hypnotic pull in his flow, his odd collection of beats and samples that will surely satisfy the most demanding of music connoisseurs.
Favorite Tracks: “Azucar,” “The Bends,” “The Mint,” “Nowhere2go,” “Cold Summers,” “Shattered Dreams,” “Peanut.”