EARL SWEATSHIRT has been flying under the radar for a bit but he’s hollered right on back with promo track ‘Chum’ off his upcoming debut EP. Earl laces a personal story of broken families and identity confusion with a melancholy drawl loading on the weight of his words. It’s a hypnotic listen with the steady lyrics rolling over scattered beats and keyboard loop.
There are the deep raspy vocals and home grown fuzzy bass of early OFWGKTA tracks, as well as classic talk of spliffs, golf shirts and causing mischief. It’s the true story of how his dad left when he was six and how Tyler became a big brother. “Too white for the black kids and too black for the white” seems to trouble most of the rap collective.
‘Chum’ gives stage to compelling narration behind a minimalist musical backdrop. With the smooth flow of fellow OFWGKTA member Frank Ocean and a deep eloquence, it’s easy to forget that Earl is only 18.
There’s cleverness in his subtlety as there’s none of that outrageous violence or fury home to the rap genre. He entertains the volatility of a contemptuous teenager with the finesse of an experienced rhyme master. It seems that Earl is growing up and who knows where he’s heading next.
Words by Antigone Anagnostellis, check out her street on POSSE.COM
