Flying High (EP)

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Flying High
The Alchemist - Flying High.png
EP by
the Alchemist
ReleasedJune 30, 2023 (2023-06-30)
RecordedMay–June 2023
Length26:52
Label ALC Records
Producer The Alchemist
The Alchemist chronology
The Alchemist Sandwich
(2022)		Flying High
(2023)		 Voir Dire
(2023)

Flying High is an extended play by musician the Alchemist. It was released on June 30, 2023, through ALC, and features guest appearances from Earl Sweatshirt, Billy Woods, Boldy James, T.F., Mike, Sideshow, Larry June and Jay Worthy.

Contents

Background

Following his prolific release history in 2022, having produced four studio projects that year, including his own The Alchemist Sandwich, Maman shared the news of the upcoming record on his social media on June 26, 2023. [1] Fellow artist Earl Sweatshirt promptly shared the announcement on his socials, revealing his prominent input. [2] Maman went on to tag more artists with guest appearances on the EP, including frequent collaborators Mike, Boldy James and Larry June, [3] the latter of which released a collaboration project with Maman only three months prior. [4] While it was speculated that the EP would be a joint album of the Alchemist of and Sweatshirt, neither artist confirmed it. [5]

The cover depicts a 1950s United Airlines advertisement poster of Maman's home Southern California. [6]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 79/100 [7]
Review scores
SourceRating
Clash 7/10 [8]
Exclaim! 8/10 [9]
HipHopDX 3.9/5 [10]
Pitchfork 7.0/10 [11]

According to the review aggregator Metacritic , Flying High received "generally favorable reviews" based on a weighted average score of 79 out of 100 from 6 critic scores. [7]

Clash 's Robin Murray described it as a "stunning four-track feast, the only downside is that we don't hear more from such a formidable cast" and felt that "the brevity doesn't downplay the creativity". [8] Dylan Green of Pitchfork called it "breezy" and found that it contains "a space for rhymers in Alchemist's orbit to unspool for the fun of it". Green also wrote that "none of these songs sound like demos or leftovers, but Flying High doesn't reach for the stars, either." [11] Wesley McLean of Exclaim! described the album as "a delicious hors d'oeuvre served up while you're waiting for whatever three-course meal that Alchemist has coming next," while also dubbing it "a reminder that Alchemist's circle doubles as a roster of some of the best rappers around." [9] HipHopDX's Anthony Malone described the EP as "an enjoyable listen," but adds that "there’s a shrouding feeling that the legendary producer has gotten comfortable creatively." [10]

Track listing

Flying High track listing
No.TitleLength
1."RIP Tracy" (featuring Earl Sweatshirt and Billy Woods)3:38
2."Trouble Man" (featuring TF and Boldy James)3:10
3."Bless" (featuring Mike and Sideshow)2:59
4."Midnight Oil" (featuring Larry June and Jay Worthy)3:39
5."RIP Tracy" (instrumental)3:38
6."Trouble Man" (instrumental)3:10
7."Bless" (instrumental)2:59
8."Midnight Oil" (instrumental)3:39
Total length:26:52

References

  1. ↑ Stickler, Jon (June 27, 2023). "The Alchemist To Release New Album 'Flying High' This Week". stereoboard.com. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  2. ↑ Kearns, Sarah (June 26, 2023). "Earl Sweatshirt, The Alchemist To Release New Album 'Flying High'". Clash . Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  3. ↑ Blake, Cole (June 26, 2023). "The Alchemist Announces New Album, "Flying High," Featuring Earl Sweatshirt, Billy Woods, & More". HotNewHipHop . Archived from the original on June 28, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  4. ↑ Grant, Shawn (June 27, 2023). "The Alchemist announces new project 'Flying High' this Friday". The Source . Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  5. ↑ Williams, Aaron (June 26, 2023). "The Alchemist Announces The Release Date For 'Flying High' Featuring Earl Sweatshirt, Larry June, And More". Uproxx . Archived from the original on June 28, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  6. ↑ Kearns, Sarah (June 27, 2023). "The Alchemist To Drop New LP 'Flying High' Featuring Earl Sweatshirt, Larry June and More". Hypebeast . Archived from the original on June 28, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  7. 1 2 Flying High [EP] by The Alchemist , retrieved January 18, 2024
  8. 1 2 Murray, Robin (June 30, 2023). "The Alchemist – Flying High | Reviews". Clash . Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  9. 1 2 McLean, Wesley (June 30, 2023). "The Alchemist – Flying High | Reviews". Exclaim! . Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Malone, Anthony (July 28, 2023). "Alchemist 'Flying High' Rides The Same Tricks To Success". HipHopDX. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  11. 1 2 Green, Dylan (July 6, 2023). "The Alchemist: Flying High EP Album Review". Pitchfork . Archived from the original on July 6, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
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