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How do you turn down the dials on something that is already naturally low volume? If you ask legendary underground rap figures MIKE and Earl Sweatshirt, they might scoff at the question entirely, or refuse to answer it. You know what? Fair enough. It’s philosophical in the paradoxical sense. An answer to this question might not materialise straight away, and the progressive embarrassment from having to idle away in deep, dissonant thought over such an impossible question might be the main deterrent. It appears to be the M.O of this very likely duo’s latest outing: an ambitious-in-concept double feature set to cloudy ambient plugg production from New York’s own SURF GANG. On the surface, the idea seems like it could be fruitful, both artists are known to abstractly wax lyrical over viscous soul and jazz loops. To subvert that expectation with a drastically different beat-style and approach to delivery has to have a reasonably high yield. Their respective monotones have proven mostly suitable for a range of aesthetics, so… what’s the catch?
In answer to my earlier question, how do you turn down the dials on something that is already low volume? Well, you sort of don’t. It doesn’t add anything to the recipe that can’t be substituted for literally anything else. The muted nature of these records is not particularly gratifying, it feels like I’m being blue-balled for something that actually moves with real intention. What is there to care about amidst sleepwalking flows and blobby, sparse beats that would indicate something of greater purpose is occurring? I feel at times like I’m hearing two guys that really messed with an album like King Krule’s ‘Space Heavy’, but completely misunderstood the appeal of his approach to music. Emotional detachment ≠ emotional weight. Vague, airy melodies being held up by frail drums and 808’s can’t work without a convincing performer on top of them. The only way these projects work at all is if MIKE and Earl offer some counter-weight to the haze. Instead, their indifference sees them get absorbed into practical non-existence.
Don’t be fooled by the eye-grabbing artwork supporting the music here. It’s a nifty piece of marketing, but it hints at something that never arrives. MIKE and Earl seem to be creating these records more out of obligation to their fanbases, rather than out of any necessity of creative spark. Aside from the odd moment where the energy spikes, and a tiny prick of transience reads on the meter, the collective effort from these two amounts to very little energy actually expended. Do not expect the usual fare, and do not expect either of these rappers to exceed expectations. It’s flat average, a funny example of the duality of their artistry, and hopefully more of a detour than a sign of things to come quality-wise.
Dan Will Review 