What makes Sick! by Earl Sweatshirt notable?

Sick! received widespread acclaim upon release, with many praising its concise structure and dense lyricism. The album debuted at number 20 on the Billboard 200 chart, further establishing Earl as a distinctive voice within the contemporary hip-hop landscape. Released on January 14, 2022, Sick! marks Earl Sweatshirt's fourth studio album and follows his critically acclaimed project, Some Rap Songs (2018). At this point in his career, he has solidified his identity as a leading figure in alternative hip-hop, known for his complex lyricism and innovative production techniques.

Sick! works well if you're into brief bursts of introspection, energetic yet reflective pacing and intricate lyricism with urgency.

How many songs are on Sick!?

Sick! has 10 tracks, running approximately 24 minutes.

Sick!

Earl Sweatshirt · 2022

24 min · 10 tracks · alternative hip-hop

A kaleidoscopic blend of introspection and experimental beats, navigating personal themes with a surreal touch.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Old Friend — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its reflective lyrics and minimalist production, encapsulating the themes of nostalgia and introspection that permeate the record.
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2010 — With its haunting production and candid reflections on growth and change, this track showcases Earl's ability to intertwine personal narrative with broader existential themes.
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Tabula Rasa — This song features a dynamic beat switch that enhances its exploration of self-identity and transformation, making it a standout moment of artistic expression on the album.
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God Laughs — In this track, Earl delivers sharp, contemplative verses over a sparse instrumental backdrop, emphasizing vulnerability amidst chaos and uncertainty.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album's experimental approach and cohesive structure highlight Earl's unique voice in alternative hip-hop.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

brief bursts of introspection
energetic yet reflective pacing
intricate lyricism with urgency
quick, thought-provoking listens

Maybe skip if you

prefer longer, drawn-out compositions
seek straightforward, catchy tunes

Where this album fits

Career context: Released on January 14, 2022, Sick! marks Earl Sweatshirt's fourth studio album and follows his critically acclaimed project, Some Rap Songs (2018). At this point in his career, he has solidified his identity as a leading figure in alternative hip-hop, known for his complex lyricism and innovative production techniques.
Stylistic neighbors: MF DOOM· Flying Lotus· Isaiah Rashad