Earl Sweatshirt, member of the rap collective Odd Future, digitally released the follow-up to his 2013 album, “Doris,” titled “I Don’t Like S—, I Don’t Go Outside: An Album by Earl Sweatshirt.”
Based on title alone, this album shows a departure from the normal flair for which Earl, and the rest of Odd Future, is known. Earl sounds more mature on these tracks. The production is more atmospheric and melancholy than usual. But Earl’s no stranger to serious songs, but “I Don’t Like S—,” doesn’t offer much outside of moody beats and mature rhymes found here as opposed to “Doris,” which featured a healthy mix of silly and serious.
“I Don’t Like S—,” is a retreat from most other Odd Future albums in that Earl is the only Odd Future member on the album. Frequent collaborator Vince Staples appears on one track, but he’s the closest to another Odd Future member besides Earl on the album. The album is also short. The 10 tracks clock in at 30 minutes, but it’s a satisfying listen.
Tracks like “Grief” and “DNA” sound like they were recorded in a massive church cathedral. These tracks are some of the slowest on an album that accelerates at a snail’s pace, but they’re also some of the best produced.
The song “Faucet” has the words “And I don’t know who house to call home lately, I hope my phone break, let it ring,” dripping out of Earl’s mouth like he doesn’t care who hears him, he just wants to stay inside.
Gone is the veil of his youth on these tracks. He seems to have outgrown most of his youthful antics despite only being 21. This album has Earl behaving less like a young adult, and more like an alcoholic adult who wants to remain a shut-in for the rest of their life.
“I Don’t Like S—, I Don’t Go Outside” could signify the beginning of Earl shying away from his Odd Future counterparts.
Although this album does see a darker side of Earl Sweatshirt, it’s still a rewarding experience. With heavy yet groovy production, featured artists that compliment the album’s overarching theme, and Earl at his best bar spitting abilities, “I Don’t Like S—, I Don’t Go Outside,” is a must listen for fans of nonconventional hip-hop.
