Sick!

Last updated
Sick!
Earl Sweatshirt - Sick!.png
Studio album by
Earl Sweatshirt
ReleasedJanuary 14, 2022 (2022-01-14)
Recorded2020–2021
Genre Hip hop
Length24:00
Label
Producer
Earl Sweatshirt chronology
Feet of Clay
(2019)		Sick!
(2022)		 Voir Dire
(2023)
Singles from Sick!
  1. "2010"
    Released: November 19, 2021
  2. "Tabula Rasa"
    Released: December 10, 2021
  3. "Titanic"
    Released: January 7, 2022

Sick! (stylized in all caps) is the fourth studio album by American rapper Earl Sweatshirt. It was released on January 14, 2022, through Tan Cressida and Warner Records. [1] The album features collaborations with Armand Hammer and Zelooperz, along with additional vocals by Na-Kel Smith. Production was handled by the Alchemist, Black Noi$e, Navy Blue (under the alias Ancestors), Samiyam, Alexander Spit, Theravada, Rob Chambers, and some co-production by Earl himself. [2] It was preceded by the singles "2010", "Tabula Rasa" featuring Armand Hammer, and "Titanic". [3]

Contents

Background

Earl Sweatshirt called the album his "humble offering of 10 songs recorded in the wake of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic and its subsequent lockdowns", [4] as he "leaned into the chaos" of the world's growing "anger and restlessness". [5] The album was announced on December 10, 2021. [1]

Cover art

The album cover depicts a framed mold of Earl Sweatshirt wearing a mask surrounded by two pills, African photos, a clove of garlic, and some sage. [5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic?7.9/10 [6]
Metacritic 85/100 [7]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [8]
The Arts Desk Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [9]
Beats Per Minute 86% [10]
Clash 9/10 [11]
No Ripcord8/10 [12]
The Observer Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [13]
Paste 8.2/10 [14]
Pitchfork 8.1/10 [15]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [16]
Slant Magazine Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [17]

Sick was met with widespread critical acclaim from critics upon its release. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 85, based on 17 reviews. [7] Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 7.9 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus. [6]

Tom Breihan of Stereogum named Sick! "Album of the Week", stating, "SICK! is the first Earl Sweatshirt album that doesn't sound more freaked-out and withdrawn than the one that came before. It's a dense, rich, contemplative piece of work... [it's] a strange and insular rap record, but it's a rap record nonetheless, and it's a great one". [18] Concluding the review for AllMusic, Fred Thomas felt that while " Sick! is brief, with just ten songs clocking in at around 24 minutes, but every move is placed with intention and forethought. Sharp, direct, and fluid in a way that's almost supernatural, Sick! perfectly conveys the duality of frustration and drive to persevere that arises from living through exceptionally difficult times." [8] Reviewing the album for Pitchfork , Dylan Green compared the album to its predecessor; "Sick! doesn't recontextualize the genre in the same way Some Rap Songs did, but it's an act of self-revolution. It magnifies a newly assured Earl Sweatshirt, skin shed and free to ascend." [15]

Track listing

Sick! track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Old Friend"
 The Alchemist 1:19
2."2010"
 Black Noi$e 2:28
3."Sick!"
1:51
4."Vision" (featuring Zelooperz)
  • Black Noi$e
  • The Alchemist [a]
4:14
5."Tabula Rasa" (featuring Armand Hammer)
  • Theravada
  • Rob Chambers
  • Kgositsile [a]
4:11
6."Lye"
  • Kgositsile
  • Maman
The Alchemist1:52
7."Lobby" (interlude)
 Samiyam 1:12
8."God Laughs"
1:24
9."Titanic"
  • Kgositsile
  • Mansel
Black Noi$e1:52
10."Fire in the Hole"
  • Kgositsile
  • Mansel
Black Noi$e3:37
Total length:24:00

Notes

Charts

Chart performance for Sick!
Chart (2022)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [19] 56
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) [20] 133
Canadian Albums (Billboard) [21] 82
Lithuanian Albums (AGATA) [22] 86
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) [23] 38
UK R&B Albums (OCC) [24] 23
US Billboard 200 [25] 80
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [26] 45

Related Research Articles

Stereogum is a daily Internet publication that focuses on music news, reviews, interviews, and commentary. The site was created in January 2002 by Scott Lapatine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Odd Future</span> American music collective based in California

Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All, better known as Odd Future and often abbreviated as OF or OFWGKTA, was an American alternative hip-hop music collective formed in Los Angeles, California in 2007. The group consisted of rappers, producers, filmmakers, skateboarders, and clothing designers. The original members were Tyler, the Creator, Casey Veggies, Hodgy, Left Brain, Matt Martians, Jasper Dolphin, Earl Sweatshirt, Travis "Taco" Bennett, and Syd. Later members included Brandun DeShay, Pyramid Vritra, Domo Genesis, Mike G, L-Boy, Frank Ocean, and Na-Kel Smith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earl Sweatshirt</span> American rapper and producer (born 1994)

Thebe Neruda Kgositsile, also known by his stage name Earl Sweatshirt, is an American rapper and record producer. Kgositsile was originally known by the moniker Sly Tendencies when he began rapping in 2008, but changed his name when Tyler, the Creator invited him to join his alternative hip hop collective Odd Future in late 2009.

<i>Goblin</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Tyler, the Creator

Goblin is the second studio album by the American rapper Tyler, the Creator. It was released on May 10, 2011, by XL Recordings. Goblin continues Tyler's dialogues with his fictional therapist Dr. TC, first heard on his 2009 album, Bastard. The album's songs were produced almost entirely by Tyler himself, along with a contribution from fellow Odd Future member Left Brain. The album features guest appearances from Odd Future members Frank Ocean, Hodgy Beats, Jasper Dolphin, Taco, Domo Genesis, Mike G and Syd.

<i>Doris</i> (album) 2013 studio album by Earl Sweatshirt

Doris is the debut studio album by American rapper Earl Sweatshirt. It was released on August 20, 2013, through Odd Future Records and Tan Cressida Records, and distributed by Columbia Records. Doris follows his first mixtape, Earl, which was released in 2010 when he was sixteen. After returning from a forced stay in a Samoan boarding school, he began working on his debut album and signed a deal with Columbia, rather than Odd Future's Odd Future Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whoa (Earl Sweatshirt song)</span> 2013 single by Earl Sweatshirt featuring Tyler, the Creator

"Whoa" is a song by the American rapper Earl Sweatshirt featuring and produced by fellow American rapper Tyler, the Creator. Written by both, it was released on March 12, 2013 by Tan Cressida and Columbia as the second single from his debut studio album Doris. It was recorded at Paramount Recording Studios in Hollywood, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earl Sweatshirt discography</span>

American rapper and record producer Earl Sweatshirt has released five studio albums, two mixtapes, two extended plays, and 27 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earl Sweatshirt production discography</span>

The following is a discography of production by American rapper and record producer Earl Sweatshirt. He was often credited as randomblackdude in his early years of producing, however, he has apparently dropped the pseudonym, now being credited as Earl Sweatshirt or even sometimes as his real name Thebe Kgositsile.

Armand Hammer is an American hip hop superduo from New York City that was formed around 2013. The duo consists of Billy Woods and Elucid.

<i>Faces</i> (mixtape) 2014 mixtape by Mac Miller

Faces is the eleventh mixtape by American rapper Mac Miller. It was independently released for free download on May 11, 2014. The mixtape is the follow-up to Miller's second studio album Watching Movies with the Sound Off (2013), and is considered by many to be his magnum opus for its dark and personal exploration of Miller's struggle with drug addiction and mental illness. On October 15, 2021, Faces was commercially released on streaming platforms and vinyl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NxWorries</span> American hip-hop duo

NxWorries is an American music superduo consisting of recording artist Anderson .Paak and record producer Knxwledge. They are signed to Stones Throw Records and released their debut studio album, Yes Lawd!, in 2016 and their second studio album Why Lawd? in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lil Ugly Mane</span> American musician and record producer

Travis Miller, best known professionally as Lil Ugly Mane, is an American musician, rapper, singer, and record producer. Noted for his diverse style, introspective lyrics, and various side projects, Miller's work spans a wide range of genres, including instrumental and experimental hip hop, black metal, lo-fi music, indie rock, and free jazz. He has also produced under the alias Shawn Kemp, and has recorded under the names Bedwetter and Vudmurk.

<i>FM!</i> 2018 studio album by Vince Staples

FM! is the third studio album by American rapper Vince Staples, released on November 2, 2018, through Blacksmith Records and Def Jam Recordings. The album is primarily produced by Kenny Beats, with further production by Hagler, Cubeatz and KillaGraham, and features guest vocals from Kamaiyah, E-40, Jay Rock, Kehlani, Earl Sweatshirt, Buddy and Tyga, among others.

<i>Some Rap Songs</i> 2018 studio album by Earl Sweatshirt

Some Rap Songs is the third studio album by American rapper Earl Sweatshirt. It was released on November 30, 2018, through Tan Cressida Records and distributed by Columbia Records.

Sage Gabriel Carlos Atreyu Elsesser, also known as Navy Blue, is an American skateboarder, rapper, record producer, visual artist, and model.

<i>Alfredo</i> (album) 2020 studio album by Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist

Alfredo is a collaborative studio album by American rapper Freddie Gibbs and American hip hop producer The Alchemist. It was released on May 29, 2020, through Gibbs' own record label ESGN Records, as well as ALC Records and Empire Distribution.

"Pushin P" is a song by American rappers Gunna, Future, and Young Thug. It was released on January 7, 2022, as the second track from Gunna's third studio album DS4Ever. The "hypnotic", alliterative track finds the trio rapping about "pushin p", which is a phrase popularized by Gunna that means to "keep it real". The track was regarded by some critics as a standout from DS4Ever, and became the album's highest-charting track, debuting at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100.

Mach-Hommy is an American rapper and record producer of Haitian descent. He is known for concealing his real name and face in all public appearances, a practice that has led him to be described as "one of hip-hop's most elusive artists".

Robert Mansel, known professionally as Black Noi$e or Black Noise, is an American record producer, songwriter, and DJ from Detroit, Michigan. He is best known for his work as a tour DJ for M.I.A. and Earl Sweatshirt as well as producing and writing tracks for other artists such as Armand Hammer, Danny Brown, Fly Anakin, Lucki, MIKE, Pink Siifu, Wiki, and Zelooperz. Black Noi$e was the first signee of Earl Sweatshirt's imprint label of Warner Records, Tan Cressida, in 2020.

References

  1. 1 2 Zemler, Emily (December 10, 2021). "Earl Sweatshirt Previews New Album With Single 'Tabula Rasa'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  2. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (January 7, 2022). "Earl Sweatshirt Reveals Full Track List for 'Sick!' Album". Billboard . Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  3. ↑ Strauss, Matthew (December 10, 2021). "Earl Sweatshirt Announces Sick Project, Shares New Song: Listen". Pitchfork . Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  4. ↑ Murray, Robin (December 10, 2021). "Earl Sweatshirt Announces New 'Sick' Project". Clash . Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  5. 1 2 Bustard, Andy (December 10, 2021). "Earl Sweatshirt Announces New Album 'Sick!'". HipHopDX . Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  6. 1 2 "Sick! by Earl Sweatshirt reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  7. 1 2 "Sick! by Earl Sweatshirt Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic . Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  8. 1 2 Thomas, Fred. "Sick! – Earl Sweatshirt". AllMusic . Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  9. ↑ Thorfinn-George, Harry. "Album: Earl Sweatshirt - Sick!". The Arts Desk . Retrieved January 16, 2022.
  10. ↑ Sentz, Tim (January 21, 2022). "Album Review: Earl Sweatshirt - SICK!". Beats Per Minute . Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  11. ↑ Murray, Robin (January 14, 2022). "Earl Sweatshirt - SICK!". Clash . Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  12. ↑ Glassey, Jackson (January 26, 2022). "Earl Swearshirt: SICK! - Music Review - No Ripcord". No Ripcord. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  13. ↑ Empire, Kitty (January 16, 2022). "Earl Sweatshirt: Sick! review - a musically rich reset". The Observer . Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  14. ↑ Buford, Jayson (January 21, 2022). "Earl Sweatshirt: 'SICK!' Album Review - Paste". Paste . Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  15. 1 2 Green, Dylan (January 13, 2022). "Earl Sweatshirt: Sick! Album Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  16. ↑ Kearse, Stephen (January 14, 2022). "Review: Earl Sweatshirt's 'Sick!'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  17. ↑ Bedenbaugh, Thomas (January 20, 2022). "Earl Sweatshirt 'Sick!' Review: A Direct, In-Your-Face Account of Isolation". Slant Magazine . Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  18. ↑ Breihan, Tom (January 11, 2022). "Album Of The Week: Earl Sweatshirt's 'SICK!'". Stereogum . Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  19. ↑ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 24 January 2022". The ARIA Report. No. 1664. Australian Recording Industry Association. January 24, 2022. p. 6.
  20. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Earl Sweatshirt – Sick!" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Earl Sweatshirt Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  22. ↑ "2022 3-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  23. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 24, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Earl Sweatshirt Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Earl Sweatshirt Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.