Earl Sweatshirt: “solace” (EP Review)

Genres: Experimental Hip Hop, Abstract Hip Hop, Drumless 

#ffa1bd. This is the HEX code that fills the cover to Earl Sweatshirt’s solace. There is nothing to look at other than this monochromatic pink. This isn’t a blank slate, but something that enriches the force behind his music by being a thought-provoking choice. Pink is a color that's rich in symbolism but is very specific in regard to its place in this EP. Sweatshirt’s explanation of his work may be the best description of it possible. solace was dropped under his unofficial YouTube channel with the message that this is “music from when [he] hit rock bottom and found something”. At rock bottom, Sweatshirt explores a depressive mindset, featuring hazy and bored rapping. He has never been afraid of being open about his often negative emotional state, and yet the matter-of-fact depiction of this on solace is still shocking. Dropping with little fanfare in between albums I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside, and Some Rap Songs, solace is a transitional project. Earl Sweatshirt’s development as an artist and as a person is put bare within these ten minutes.

A single shade of pink means so much. Looking at the cover for solace can instill a mix of emotions, with even more layers revealing themselves after listening to the EP. It makes me feel the start of healing that’s possible by means of Earl expressing himself. I also feel the painful bliss of each drifting thought of anguish. Finally, this color reminds me of medicine. Thankfully, I don’t get sick looking at this cover like I do with Pepto-Bismol, although both are steps of recovery.

solace’s loose organization of verses and instrumentals perfectly sets the tone of the EP. The music isn’t chaotic or broken, it’s scattered. A great example of how this is utilized to great effect is in the final verse, where Sweatshirt trails off and starts from the beginning. Facing pain so great that he has to compose himself and start over shows his fragile state of mind without having to verbalize it. Produced by Sweatshirt himself under the pseudonym RandomBlackDude, solace is split into sections with varied instrumentation. The first part has watery and muddled production, while the third part sounds almost joyful before it transitions into the depressive last verse. Even though the “uneven” scattering makes some sections not as explored as others, I think there’s a great mix of sound that’s bounced around here. Everything feels gently connected until it leads into one road.

Out of everything about solace, the fourth part remains the most memorable and compelling quality. Sweatshirt’s direct and slightly somber rapping is brutally set against a sparse instrumental, which is primarily composed of a tender piano melody. Both lyrically and narratively, this part is solace’s climax, with Earl really getting into the reasons for his mental state and the effects it has on his life. This might be Earl at his explicit lowest on the project, but there’s still the faintest light of hope shown. Na’kel Smith is Earl’s close friend and “brother”, mentioned to be someone that boosts his confidence. Another form of hope comes at the very end of this verse, where Sweatshirt pleads, “If ya soul intact, let me know”. After hitting rock bottom and facing the lowest of lows, there is still a sliver of optimism. It’s not large, and it may not even be important, but it’s there. This perfectly transitions into a beautiful instrumental outro, leaving the listener with an extended ending after the emotional weight of the EP leaves them in a daze. 

Pursuing solace and finding some measure of comfort, Earl Sweatshirt paints a stunning portrait of vulnerability. solace is quite unlike his previous and future work alike, almost serving as a photograph of the person he is, current struggles and all. This EP is extravagant or flashy in the slightest. Your attention is captivated by Sweatshirt’s genuineness and rapping that’s almost off-putting. With how scattered this EP is structured, I feel like more could have been showcased from beginning to end, although I do understand the benefits of this setup. The first three parts are still enjoyable, but they aren’t half as compelling as the fourth part. I think Sweatshirt’s drifting thoughts are displayed excellently, but I just wish things were different in terms of the overall structure of this project. Even so, ten minutes were sufficient for Sweatshirt to create a surprisingly three-dimensional image of himself. From one singular shade of pink, came a mix of different emotions and depth. solace shows the array of colors that can arise from a place of stagnation.

Favorite Tracks: solace

Least Favorites: n/a

Enjoyment: Low 9

Critically: Low 9

Arbitrary Number: 9.3/10