Ronan O'BrienEarl Sweatshirt returns with his fifth studio album, Live Laugh Love. Three years on from the brilliant Sick! and the equally short Some Rap Songs, Earl is still laying his marker on modern hip-hop.
Earl Sweatshirt
Earl’s rap career began in school. First performing under the moniker Sly Tendencies, he rebranded to Earl Sweatshirt after joining Odd Future. The collective, formed by Tyler, the Creator and friends, had a huge cult following in the early 2010s. Following a series of hiatuses in Samoa, he launched his solo career with Doris. The album was largely successful, featuring a myriad of track features from many rising artists in the industry.
Earl kept this momentum going on his second studio album, I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go Outside: An Album by Earl Sweatshirt. Also faring quite successfully, the album again had guest features and a number of producers. The third release from Earl was slightly left field. Some Rap Songs features fifteen instrumental-heavy, bite-sized tracks. Earl’s effortless delivery over these tracks gave his music a new but distinctive style. The follow-up, Sick!, had similar qualities but focused more on Earl’s lyricism and flow.
The latest release, Live Laugh Love, has more similarities to the previous two releases. While this may be confused for unoriginality, don’t be fooled. Earl has refined his sound with this latest release and given a more intimate view into his mind. He explained, “I think it captured both parts of myself: being 16 and then also having a family”.
gsw vs sac
The album opens with Earl displaying his talents as a wordsmith from the offset. Over a vocal sample, he spits “My peripheral’s decorated / That mean you can’t get away ’cause I still can see you every day”. True to his style, Earl’s bars have multiple interpretations and depth. The opening lines alone are multiple-layered. His decorated peripheral can be interpreted as his use of prescription glasses, as seen on the album cover, or even his perception of the world around him. Even these lines can refer to a footballer’s ability of scanning the pitch, sensing danger or opportunities.
The references to sportsmen continue, with nods to professionals like Ronaldinho. “Let’s get on the pitch and play, tricky Kangol / We scored three-ways back to back and made our way home” pays tribute to the former footballer, who sported a Kangol as well as scoring twice in the El Clásico in 2005.
A synthesised sample which sounds like a harpsichord opens “FORGE“. Once again, the wordplay in this track is excellent. Opening with “That pinch of salt in your mix threw your biscuits off” indicates a small mistake that led to total failure. This mistake leads Earl to be on his “off-foot again”, which again could be interpreted as a footballing metaphor. Further gems include “I gather you didn’t hunt at all”, comparing the target to a failed hunter-gatherer. For such a short song, there are so many snippets of Earl’s talent as he flows through the track with a sleepy delivery. The title gives a clue to the song’s meaning, with the reiteration of “The heavy measure did ’em in” providing imagery of metal forging.
INFATUATION
The opening words of “INFATUATION“ shows Earl refusing to conform and instead, doing what he wants. “Exonerated, I ain’t dying on this hill” is a perfect encapsulation of this, as the album is similar to his last two projects where he created something unconventional but true to his self. The most interesting line in the song is where the title derives, “Bars like the rim of the bath, live, love, and laugh”. Referring to Bessie Anderson Stanley’s 1904 poem Success, it tells of simple pleasure that comes with having lived one’s life. The bars of soap can also be interpreted as the cleansing effect this can have on one’s soul. Earl is happy with his life and simply by doing his own thing.
Telling the target to “Humble yourself”, Earl explores being content with life as it is in “Gamma (need the <3)“. A funkier sample, he spits further truths over it in his notable fashion. Either targeted at someone or an internal monologue, he utters “You cumbersome comin’ in to your old age”, advising aging without humility is futile. Declaring “I’ll try my luck one day / For now, I only trust faith” he is resigned to living without taking any more risks. He is basically saying what’s for him won’t pass him. Though relaxed, Earl is still taking full control of his own destiny. “I couldn’t wait (No), couldn’t shake the notion my fate was up for me to decide / It’s no time for pumpin’ brakes”.
WELL DONE!
Earl explores more of inward looking in this minute-long track. Full of self-worth, he warns he can’t be riled up, “You never gon’ get a rise out of a real one”. Comfortable with being on top of his game, Earl apprises that he is “Tough like rye or spelt, Orion-sized heavyweight titles on the belt, son”. Even managing to squeeze more double entendres in the lines “Ain’t gon’ lie, you probably should get your sails up”, which both tells someone to get moving and to focus on making more sales. Again, a song that lasts a single minute has this much depth to it. Outstanding.
Harsh snares ring through on “Live“ before softening with the introduction of a distinct Earl-style melody. The sixteen year old he refers to is who this song is in conversation with. Making note of the music he grow up, the lines “Cookin’ ’em calmly like Lauryn in the ’90s / The Lauren is on me / You gon’ die on the hill of your choice” are simply flawless. While paying homage, he still warns of the dangers of being ignorant and stubborn at the same time. The beat switch in this track is magical, and it evokes bittersweet emotions. While labelled a genius, he notes the importance of staying humble; “Down on my head, kept the crown in the next room, it’s easy to miss”.
Static
An upbeat, almost horn-based instrumental provides the victorious sound to “Static“. Braggadocious in many respects, he compares himself to Muhammad Ali “Diddy-bopping around the ring”. The sports references continue, with “Arm all in the thing like Vince Carter”. Another short track, it’s impressive how much Earl can pack into so little.
The vocal samples in “CRISCO“ provide the emotional backdrop to the depth of the track. Earl speaks of his struggles growing up, comparing it to a drug-dealing lifestyle. “Deep in the trench like a split stone / No pistol, just me and my wits / I’m who the scale tip for”. While overcoming these struggles, he acknowledges the growth it has gifted him. “Things I thought would shake me to my core just made me hotter”.
The most emotional parts come from the loss of his father, where he addresses this wonderfully. “I know I can’t take no loss, my anger bottled / Mama say, “His face ain’t look like yours” / It’s on the floor, go out and scrape him off it / Mop him like a chore, it ain’t no way around it”. While tough to take, Earl has learned that the only way to face these problems is through hard work.
TOURMALINE
The beat that accompanies “TOURMALINE“ is so laid-back and groovy, it really touches the soul. Almost singing, he serenades the listener with “Everybody wanna be Bowser / I’m plumbin’ the deceit out, the fire come through me now”. This Super Mario reference is enlightening, as he goes against the grain of a rapper’s lifestyle. While hip-hop is embellished with artists modelling themselves as gangsters, Earl takes pleasure in cleaning up his life. His gratitude to his wife shines through in the track, as he tells of “Both my ears ringin’ with your love”. While a sweet song, he is quick to remind the listener of the traumas that shaped his life. “The sun bouncin’ through the fun houses / I got used to the comedown, I leaped, bounded, jumped out it” showcases this wonderfully, as his struggles have shaped him while simultaneously loving his family life.
Opening with the mantra “I released it” encompasses the theme of “Heavy Metal aka ejecto seato!“ so brilliantly. Sarcastically telling the listener not to believe in themselves, he advises “Don’t trust the leap, only the ones in the bleachers”. Once again referring to his joy of fatherhood, telling of a dream he had of his son now becoming reality. Although the main theme explores the art of letting go, Earl once more remembers his struggles are what formed him. “Heavy metal, every piece precious”.
The final track is again, melancholic and bittersweet. “exhaust“ opens with a beautiful vocal sample and sees Earl address the many changes in his life. With new found faith, he tells of “God steering the ship”. Possibly referring to the breakup of Odd Future, there is a thankful note in “We went our own ways, I still think of you highly”. The words of wisdom really show his growth and maturity. “No amount of sugar gon’ help with the taste (It stays open) / At the end of the day / It’s really just you and whatever you think”. These closing lines show Earl is unfazed by others, and his family is his sole focus in life.
Final Thoughts
Live Laugh Love is Earl’s third sub-thirty minute album in a row. As mentioned above, it shares many similarities with the previous two. Unfazed and free of the pressures of making music to conform, Earl has created a style so distinct to him. Sample-heavy with his sleepy flow navigating through bars, it is truly unique.
Thematically, the album displays Earl’s personal growth. Dotted with emotional homages and mature revelations, it’s certainly inspiring. While many parts showcase Earl the rapper, the rest detail Earl the father, the husband, the family man. Outside of this, special appreciation is needed for his ability to squeeze countless metaphors, layers and double entendres into twenty four minutes.
