In an ambitious move that unites abstract heavyweights Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE with the New York production collective Surf Gang, the double-release of Pompei and Utility arrives as one of the year’s most intriguing—yet ultimately frustrating—hip-hop experiments. While the technical artistry is undeniable, the final product often leaves the listener more cold than captivated.
A Divided Vision
Despite their history of airtight synergy, this collaboration chooses a structural path similar to OutKast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. Out of 33 tracks, the duo shares the mic only twice. Instead of a lyrical duel, we get two complementary solo records tied together by Surf Gang’s signature aesthetic: a blend of ambient textures, crisp percussion, and hazy synths.
Unfortunately, rather than a creative rejuvenation, the shift in sound often feels like the artists are treading water.
Performance Peaks and Valleys
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Earl Sweatshirt: Following the growth shown on Live, Laugh, Love, Earl’s work on Pompei feels surprisingly stagnant. While his pen remains sharp—evidenced by lines like “They crumble in the castle, all that money over fam, mud on the casket, blood on the canvas”—his delivery often floats aimlessly over production that feels skeletal and unfinished.
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MIKE: On the flip side, MIKE oscillates between brilliance and burnout. On tracks like “Minty Afro” and “Free Mike,” his talent peaks, but elsewhere his delivery feels lethargic. His “sleepwalking” flow frequently clashes with Surf Gang’s more energetic rhythms, leading to a jarring lack of cohesion.
The Verdict
Utility is the stronger half of the pair, offering tighter transitions and a more intentional atmosphere. However, both projects are bogged down by a sense of indifference. Many tracks simply fizzle out, lacking the punch or definitive endings required to make a lasting impression.
Earl himself seemed to anticipate the backlash, noting that “real hip-hop fans” might find this their weakest output to date. It is a moment of self-aware honesty that highlights the risk of their experimentation. While there is plenty of clever wordplay for the “abstract rap” die-hards to dissect, the albums ultimately fail to live up to the sky-high potential of the names involved.
Final Rating: 5/10 — An admirable experiment that serves more as a curiosity than a career highlight.
