In early 2021, abstract rapper Earl Sweatshirt and LA-based producer The Alchemist revealed that they had released an entire collaborative album on YouTube under a fake name, which nobody had yet found. More than 2 years later, it seems they have finally made it accessible, with the recent release of 27 minute project Voir Dire. The new album marks another project in the vein of Earl’s last 2 (2018’s Some Rap Songs and 2022’s Sick!), consisting of drumless beats with samples from obscure jazz and soul tracks and gloomy, introspective wordplay.
Lyrically, Earl explores wide-ranging topics without sticking to a certain theme, a depar- ture from previous efforts in his discography. On Sentry, the former Odd Future member reflects on recent self-growth and familial relationships, while on My Brother the Wind, he raps about continued mental strife and reliance on substances even after he finds himself successful and financially comfortable. While he doesn’t seem as focused as he has been before, Earl still provides us with double (and occasionally triple) entendres mind-boggling enough they could be analyzed by 10th graders in Ms. Wagner’s class.
Behind the boards, The Alchemist has crafted more of the entrancing drumless instrumen- tals he is known best for, while venturing further into 80s smooth R&B territory with his sample selection, as exemplified on All The Small Things. Production picks up considerably after the first 2 tracks, which aren’t necessarily bad beats (the swirling strings on 100 High Street are fantastic), but don’t quite meet the Alchemist standard. From the third trackon, instrumentals are top-notch, with sample selection beautiful enough to soundtrack a Studio Ghibli movie. Alchemist doesn’t usually venture outside of his comfort zone on this project, but his few efforts to expand on his sound go over well.
Voir Dire will be appreciated by fans of the Abstract Hip-Hop movement of the past few years. Though it isn’t genre defining, it provides a strong addition to both artist’s discographies.
Favorite Track: My Brother the Wind
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