Earl Sweatshirt: Doris

By Alif Omar Mahfix • 03 Sep 2013 in Review

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THE YOUNGINS ARE DOING ALRIGHT
It’s redundant to claim that Earl Sweatshirt is the most talented member of Odd Future, people already accept that as a hip hop maxim. With the release of debut Doris, the ball is firmly on his court, Earl’s momentary disappearance from the scene and his comeback meant the pressure is all on the 19-year-old. He has to prove to us that the wait has been worth it.

Suffice to say, Doris is exactly as we’d expected, and then some. Just a few years older since his first mixtape, Earl has a newfound depth and maturity to his songwriting. Imagine the nuanced emotional baggage of Tyler, the Creator but with better written lyrics (Earl’s still all about the wordplay) and less of his entire shock rap excess. Tracks like ‘Burgundy’ and ‘Chum’ address a similar growing pains experience as Tyler; daddy issues, insecurities about fame, and his love for his grandmother.

On a typically braggadocio track ‘Hive’, he did the atypical and added depth by capturing L.A’s inner city; “From a city that’s recession hit, where stressed nigg*s could flex metal with pedals to rake pennies in.” Even his delivery, sounding like an indifferent teenager before, is evolved into adult resignation on Doris. While the rap game is still showing animosity towards their younger generation, Earl, Joey, and hell, even Chief Keef are signalling something; the eminent new golden age.

LISTEN TO: ‘Sunday’
IF YOU LIKE THIS YOU’LL DIG: Joey Bada$$
RATING: 4