pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/earl-sweatshirt-the-alchemist-voir-dire

"It’s a little disappointing that Alchemist doesn’t push Earl even further out of his comfort zone. There isn’t that lift-your-head-in-surprise moment, like the first time you heard Earl rap over the prickly electronica of the Black Noi$e-produced “2010,” or the ethereal murk of his recent team-up with Clams Casino and Evilgiane, “Making the Band (Danity Kane).” But the chemistry between Earl and Alchemist comes from how naturally their styles blend together, as if VOIR DIRE is some kind of prophecy being fulfilled by the universe. It’s a record that was meant to be: simple, elegant, and always true."

They're right about this

just listened to sentry (since it's genuinely the only song released since luminary ain't no comparable to spoty) and wow. very intoxicating but wtf was that sample chop lmao. IIIIIIEEEIIEUEIIIEEEEEEEEEEH

fair review, expecting to give it basically the same score

they both came with A-game but it is kinda safe . not complaining tho the idea that this project even exists in this form is such a blessing

most collab projects suffer from this . felt similarly about that danny/jpeg project

I know that putting random soundbites on my beats homies thought I was corny but when Alc does it its no problem

I enjoy the album but they do kinda play it safe

wrong one

It’s simply because I’m too old and lazy for going back to downloading albums to my iPhone

I just think not every release necessarily has to be that. Earl's done so much on the experimental side that I really don't mind an album of super solid and beautiful beats that are all very head-bobby.

I'm really enjoying this. He's rapping his absolute ass off and I think some of the beats are more detailed than people are giving them credit for. They're not necessarily lazy loops. And to me Sentry is that get-you-out-your-seat beat.

If Earl wanted more out-there beats for this one he would have asked for them ultimately. I don't see a problem with him picking out 11 beats that resonated with him and he knew he could kill, and then doing so.

Ultimately enjoying this so much more than Sick. Hoping he keeps dropping more regularly because in that case it really doesn't matter if this project is playing it relatively safe, assuming they're will be more out-there stuff in the near future.

And I think people pit too much blame on Al.

I love Boldy for instance, but that man has continually played it very safe with his beat choices. That ain't on Al at this point. He just ain't picking or wanting the out there stuff. Armand Hammer obviously are and Al knows that, so that's what they got. It's not that he's not capable of it.

It streams for free on the website but

Also idk if you know but they made it way easier to download zips on iPhone now that you can just open them in files, I would feel you if we still had to go to the computer and import files

It’s like a 2 minute process

I clicked the link, download finished in a couple minutes, opened the zip in files, then easily put the album into Offline Music app. But you can even open files in Spotify straight from the phone now I think

I don’t think it’s because you’re old, I think streaming has conditioned listeners so much that a lot of people refuse to do anything else now.

Hope it never comes to streaming

I mentioned this before but it is more annoyance than problem. Like on The Great Escape you have Larry narrating the story with related sound bites; same thing with Bo Jackson.

But then on Continuance and on this it’s like, what the f*** is the point of these filler interludes?

Just need fantano to confirm whether or not I like this album

I'm not impressed with ya goal post, you got em shifting
Grown folks talking you gotta listen

Aye Sirius Blac a lowkey bop lol

Exactly

I don’t mind it at all cause I’m the one on a forum discussing music

But for casuals if a big name does it - it makes sense

But the thing itself is annoying and if it was an unknown doing it you won’t f*** with it

It’s not a gripe tho just a slight annoyance as u put it

Keep ya head still, the battle uphill
Stillwater's got depth, don't hold your breath
Or hold your breath

I feel like a lot are almost self-referential as to the project itself and the fact it's Earl/Al finally putting out a full length together. Could be completely wrong but to me there's like a tongue-in-cheek playfulness to some.

For example, Vin Skully beginning with 'you and me have been friends for a long time'.

And at the end of Vin Skully, 'we'll let them explain that to you', before Earl and MIKE go off.

The one at the end of Sirius Blac: 'I told you this was my man's right here' and then - could completely be mishearing - 'you don't even know e-coli'.

There are some more straightforward ones that are very much on theme. Like at the end of Dead Zone/start of Free the Ruler (especially like that one). And the end of Sentry.

One has one of the BlueBlood track snippets playing too which is like a cool easter egg.

It’s his Madvillainy

nah i’d give that to SRS

Cherish every moment, let it go
The cherry on top the weight off of my heavy soul
Never been lost I remember nowhere2go
New s*** consumed quick, its perishable
Embed it with gold its gon never get old
Turn the lights off carry me home

I was just thinking about how they’ve never given him less than an 8 on any project and they give this a 7.8 😂😂😂