The two tracks I was most excited to listen to on a day when hip-hop fans were spoilt for choice

The 20th was a blessed day for hip-hop fans, we got new tracks from Lil B, Tory Lanez, Snoop Dogg, and Amine. But for me, most importantly, we got two new tracks from Earl Sweatshirt and A$AP Rocky.

First leaked online, Rocky dropped a new single titled ‘Sundress’ that features a sample from Tame Impala’s ‘Why Won’t You Make Up Your Mind’. Track producer, Danger Mouse, most definitely has a presence in this as he flaunts his style of very bald drums – which alongside the vocals, were the only thing left from the original sample.

Having said that, I find the sampled vocals kinda ruined the song because the original song wasn’t very good in the first place. Furthering this, I feel as if Rocky’s performance was lacklustre and overshadowed by the loud production.

Former member and prime lyricist of the no-longer around rap group Odd Future, Earl Sweatshirt has released a new track ‘The Mint’ to build up hype for his new album Some Rap Songs (released 30th November). On this track we’re not only greeted with a funny moment from blacksploitation film Black Dynamite, but we also get an old-timey piano play with deep fumbling bass guitar in the backing track.

To start the verse off, Navy Blue sets the tone of melancholy with words like “Hold me close ‘cause my time is up” and “Growin’ from my father, bitter to his touch.” Earl then comes in for two hard minutes straight, no hook/chorus, and emphasises what Navy says with clever wordplay (Earl’s signature trait).

Quotable: “Tip-toein’ over mortar and the brick, bumpin’ shoulders with the devil in disguise.” This is speculated to mean that people have been sending shots (mortar) at Earl and he’s attempting to build (“brick”) a comeback but the devil in disguise is stopping him.

Out of these two tracks, I’m mostly pleased with Earls new release as it contains a lot of detail lyric-wise whilst also giving us a more up to date and improved Earl Sweatshirt sound. Sadly, Rocky’s new release has left me unimpressed and hoping this style of song is just a one time thing for him.