Many know former “Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All” (OFWGKTA), or Odd Future, member and hip-hop artist Thebe Kgositsile — popularly known as Earl Sweatshirt — for his melancholic lyrical content seen on critically acclaimed albums such as “Some Rap Songs,” “I Don’t Like Sh*t,” “I Don’t Go Outside” and “SICK!” However, the side we see of Earl on “Live Laugh Love” is an almost unrecognizable parallel to its predecessors, but still maintaining their minimalistic style. While the short runtime, soul-sample heavy production and the classic laid-back flow stay the same, this record shows a happier side of Earl that hasn’t been visible in his music until now. The Los Angeles rapper had struggled with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, which he had been vocal about in his music since his emergence in the hip-hop scene as a teenager. However, since the release of “Some Rap Songs” in 2018, which many consider his magnum opus, he has found himself in a committed relationship with whom he’s had a child with. That being said, “Live Laugh Love” appears to be its direct antithesis.
The intro, “GSW vs SAC,” contains an Earl verse stacked with references to sports like soccer and basketball. The song is named after a 2023 playoff fixture between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings, where Harrison Barnes’ miss in Game 4 led to the Kings losing the series in Game 7. Despite the symbolism of the song title, it might be the jolliest song he has ever made, as it features an Earl flow where the listener can hear his smile through the song. It then features an outro by the comedian The Mandal Man, who criticizes procrastination through spoken word. “You in the club knockin’ back chasers and you ain’t even chase your dreams?” asked the Georgia comedian, closing out the intro of the album.
As most Earl Sweatshirt albums tend to do, the tracklist flows seamlessly as the tracks blend together to form one cohesive work of art. That being said, there are some easy highlights on this album. The fourth song, “Gamma (need the <3),” had allegedly been played during his concerts since the European leg of his 2024 tour. On this track, we once again see the theme of Earl finding more control over his life; evident in lines such as “I couldn’t wait, couldn’t shake the notion my fate was up for me to decide — it’s no time for pumpin’ brakes.” This song also shows us a more braggadocious side of Earl, which is an unexpected theme considering the content of his earlier catalog.
There is no greater feeling for the fan of an artist than to witness their growth as an individual through their music, and “Live Laugh Love” shows Earl attaining a level of peace that his fans have hoped to see since the OFWGKTA days. Musically speaking, this album is exactly what you’d expect from Earl — a 20-minute journey with Earl in his peak flow state over minimalistic production. This album is a near-perfect listening experience from start to finish, and it is a great pleasure to hear an underground legend share his happiness with the world in the way he expresses himself best.
