Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE, SURF GANG - POMPEII // UTILITY

The mutual respect between MIKE, Earl Sweatshirt and production collective SURF GANG has always threatened to bubble over into something truly special. Having been orbiting each other as pals and collaborators on the US hip-hop scene for nearly a decade, the three hugely influential forces have now cemented their bond with an album of epic proportions.

Coming as a 33-track double LP, there’s certainly no half-measures within this sprawling and immersive project. MIKE leads the way with ‘POMPEII’ while Earl picks up on ‘UTILITY’, with both iconic voices ghosting in and out across the listen. There’s never a dramatic tonal shift between the chapters; rather, their voices flow like synchronized trains of thought against a lo-fi backdrop replete with whining sirens, smashing windows and barking street dogs.

There’s highlights aplenty, but a true testament to the pair’s synergy comes with ‘Leadbelly’, as they toil with the lifestyle and dreams behind their art: “No second chances, tourin’ the globe and takin’ the piss / I knew what I wanted at a glance, I need it all in my hand”. Crucially, this project feels born from a pure place of fandom and community; much greater than the sum of its parts, it’s a meeting of minds that definitely feels worth the wait.