Earl Sweatshirt: Feet Of Clay | 4ZZZ Brisbane 102.1FM

- It's been almost twelve months since I gushed about Some Rap Songs, Earl Sweatshirt's third studio album and twenty-five minute meditation on mortal grief. At the time I praised Earl's collaboration with artists from the New York underground, shaping his sound with the likes of Standing On the Corner and Adé Hakim. In spite of its brevity, SRS remains a shrouded quandary, one brimming with effortless prophecies waiting to be unpacked for years to come. In the wake of this abstract classic came Earl's return to independence, severing a six year partnership with Columbia Records to "Do riskier shit".

Feet Of Clay is a seven track sample of this new direction and Earl doesn't seem to be coming up for air any time soon. Its title based on a Biblical tale foretelling the end of empires, Sweatshirt paints a grim and complex picture of our uncertain society. Opener 74 comes bursting out the gate with a burdened beat crumbling under its own weight and hypnotic flows demanding close attention.

"Sellin' kids culture with death, circlin' like carrion / The more the merrier, phone got you livin' vicarious / Ice melting 'cause it's so hot/ The veil lifts, the pain salient."

Deteriorating song structures make extracting quotes from their original context a difficult task as Earl's serpentine train of thought integrates each line into a larger whole. It's a trait shared by some of hip-hop's greatest lyricists, unique ideas coalesce to reinforce the MC's character. Even if you're rarely left with a clear picture, each line carries enough weight to make its emotional mark.

Consistency is key here given most tracks barely reach the two minute mark. Earl has trimmed so much fat off his music I'm worried it might be malnourished: taut skin stretched across the bones of pseudo-philosophic musings and pessimistic comparisons. EAST exemplifies 'less is more' with its three second sample of Arabic strings looped ad-infinitum. Earl's delivery matches this off-kilter tone with lackadaisical bars tackling the loss of those close to him. I was initially thrown off by this contrast but further listening reveals EAST as one of the young MC's finest lyrical moments.

"The wind whispered to me, "Ain't it hard?"/ I wait to be the light shimmering from a star /

Cognitive dissonance shattered and the necessary venom restored / As if it matters if you think it matters anymore.”

It's followed by the somber MTOMB, flipping legendary percussionist James Mtume into a soulful reflection. I'm inclined to believe these beats are self-produced, given Earl's increased creative control over his music. They're a less consistent batch than on SRS, but still a perfect fit for what Sweaty is trying to accomplish. The EP's latter half brings an unexpected dose of positivity, grabbing cuts from heartfelt sung melodies and upbeat instrumental numbers.

NY protegé Mavi features on EL TORO COMBO MEAL and does his best to match Sweatshirt's standards. Both verses are brutally honest yet I couldn't get past his derivative style. Mach-Hommy is a welcome switch-up on nearly five minute closer 4N, a marathon length in Earl's timeline. It's largely instrumental but I love the production so much the repetitive beat wasn't an issue. Mach brings an unusually gritty performance that pairs wonderfully with Earl, ending things on an uncertain note.

There's no doubt Earl Sweatshirt has come into his own as a once-in-a generation writer, delving deeper into New York's hypnoagogic sound to find a powerful voice. I find it near-impossible to fault his performances despite the intentional obfuscation that puts so many off. Next to Some Rap Songs it seems Earl is in a better place, but the themes he's grappling with are as heavy as ever. If you enjoyed the density of his last release, Feet Of Clay is a welcome second helping sure to placate. Most hip-hop listeners however are likely to bounce straight off. Earl's experimental forays have already earned the ire of long-term fans, making them all the more admirable in my eyes.

- Boddhi Farmer.