Sick!
by Earl Sweatshirt
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 79 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 63 out of 79
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 79
  3. Negative: 6 out of 79
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  1. childofthe90s
    Jan 19, 2022
    10
    This album was phenomenal from start to finish. Earl did a really good job with this project. The replay value for this album is extremely high for me easily. There was not a single track on this project that i didn't like at all.
  2. Junkiest
    Jan 15, 2022
    8
    Earl sweatshirt
  3. MusicGuyMack
    Jan 18, 2022
    10
    Another modern masterpiece in the making, the generally abrasive, off-kilter style of "Sick!" both lyrically and musically certainly won't be for everyone, but those on the same wavelength as Earl will find a record every bit as urgently, fascinatingly restless and chaotic as the social and political turmoil of the last two years forming the core of its inspiration.

    Choice Cuts: "2010,"    Another modern masterpiece in the making, the generally abrasive, off-kilter style of "Sick!" both lyrically and musically certainly won't be for everyone, but those on the same wavelength as Earl will find a record every bit as urgently, fascinatingly restless and chaotic as the social and political turmoil of the last two years forming the core of its inspiration.

    Choice Cuts: "2010," "Vision (feat. Zelooperz)," "Tabula Rasa (feat. Armand Hammer)"    … Expand
  4. yeahboiiiiiiiii
    Jan 19, 2022
    9
    Yes sir, think I already feel it, Sweatshirt cause you know how revenge is best served.
  5. Techno__Terror
    Jan 21, 2022
    9
    This album is masterpiece. Only minus is that this album is too short. But maybe if this album was not short it wouldn't be so good.
  6. EilamSharon
    Jan 16, 2022
    10
    It starting to look like Earl is one of the best rappers in terms of discography quality of the new generation.
    The lyrics, the delivery, the beats... everything on here is simply phenomenal. It's been just 3 days since the album dropped and I already heard it l10 times front to back. Amazing.
  7. isthatarlo
    Jan 16, 2022
    9
    There isn't much else out there that sounds like this. Much easier to listen to and much more relatable than his past work. Sick! is one of Earl's strongest projects to date.
  8. Sceptyle49
    Feb 9, 2022
    7
    I think it was a pretty decent and enjoyable of Earl Sweatshirt. The album has this experimental essence that Earl has been into in his past projects. Favorite songs: 2010, Titanic, Sick! and Vision.
  9. junlim954
    Jan 16, 2022
    8
    Earl returns to the rapping scene with yet another thought-provoking album. However, this one feels like more of a victory lap than his other projects have; it's nice that Earl's mental health has become much better since we last saw him on a project.

    The projects have the same looping sample instrumentals that can be very polarizing at times. As for rapping, he is still in his element.    Earl returns to the rapping scene with yet another thought-provoking album. However, this one feels like more of a victory lap than his other projects have; it's nice that Earl's mental health has become much better since we last saw him on a project.

    The projects have the same looping sample instrumentals that can be very polarizing at times. As for rapping, he is still in his element. The wordplay may not be as deep as albums like Some Rap Songs, but the more mainstream and laidback direction of the album makes it so that isn't necessary. The features also support this style that he goes for, and complement tracks well. I thought that the Zelooperz feature might have been one of his best verses.

    Overall, this album has a mix of everything. It's Earl's way of branching out to the mainstream in his own style, which is comforting to see. There are more trap-like beats than we've ever seen from an Earl tape (if we've ever seen any at all), while there are still songs that speak to his emotions and mentality like Fire in the Hole. This might be his most accessible album other barring the self-titled project, and it marks another point in Earl's development as both a musician and an artist.    … Expand
  10. Ryanedwardwolf
    Jan 14, 2022
    7
    Sick! isnt as cohesive as SRS, but it’s an improvement over Feet of Clay. Starts strong and ends strong, and Earl’s flows/beats are as exciting as ever!
  11. Buay
    Jan 16, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Earl has a more tuned and clear approach from the plate mash productions on feet of clay. I'm totally impressed and lovingly immersed in this new direction… Expand
  12. spacemanrecords
    Jan 16, 2022
    7
    Sick! is easily the most accessible listen out of Earls current discography, but that's not saying too much...

    That being said, I thought the direction of this project worked super well, and its a highly enjoyable listen for those who like a more unorthodox approach to hip hop. The features and the beats are FANTASTIC, I especially like the Armand Hammer song... I guess I wish for    Sick! is easily the most accessible listen out of Earls current discography, but that's not saying too much...

    That being said, I thought the direction of this project worked super well, and its a highly enjoyable listen for those who like a more unorthodox approach to hip hop.

    The features and the beats are FANTASTIC, I especially like the Armand Hammer song...

    I guess I wish for a more conceptual and full project, while this feels almost more like a mixtape...

    I rate it a strong 7 to a light 8    … Expand
  13. Fuerstenberg
    Feb 13, 2022
    8
    Earl Sweatshirt's "SICK!" is an intense, packed pure rap album with a superb production, smooth transitions and precise, sharp and direct lyrics from Earl.

    In just 24 minutes Earl shows us all his poetic and musical skills in an authentic, direct way. The album is so good that you wish it was twice as long. Earl Sweatshirt at its finest – 8 out of 10. My favorites: "Vision" "2010"    Earl Sweatshirt's "SICK!" is an intense, packed pure rap album with a superb production, smooth transitions and precise, sharp and direct lyrics from Earl.

    In just 24 minutes Earl shows us all his poetic and musical skills in an authentic, direct way. The album is so good that you wish it was twice as long. Earl Sweatshirt at its finest – 8 out of 10.

    My favorites:
    "Vision"
    "2010"
    "Titanic"
    "Fire in the Hole"

    ~ Fürstenberg
    February 13, 2022    … Expand
  14. Okayitscool
    Jan 17, 2022
    9
    Bro! Earl's sick! This the best music I've heard in a while, it doesn't feel forced
  15. YoungNas
    Jan 21, 2022
    10
    Amazing album like always from Earl, one of the best when comes to lyricsm and production in the rap game.
  16. music_fan1
    Mar 22, 2022
    7
    A pleasant album with good lyrics and delivered a great message. It is clear Earl has talent, though it could've been better. There were some boring parts and it was way too short.
  17. wh22m8
    May 12, 2022
    8
    Good album. Few songs like sick made it what my review is. Could have been better

Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Best Album of 2022
41
#41 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. RapReviews.com
    May 10, 2022
    80
    Even when you don’t understand his choices, you can’t argue with them, because you know they are coming from a place of thoughtful artistic creativity.
    Read full review
  2. The Wire
    Mar 30, 2022
    80
    A few of these ten songs burble with easy rhythms – “Lye” rocks with crunchy, prog rock horns looped by The Alchemist. But overall, the tone of SICK! feels contemplative, slowly unfurling with repeated listens even as Earl crams over 20 minutes of thoughts into the work, with no hooks to leaven the intensity. [Mar 2022, p.43]
  3. No Ripcord
    Jan 26, 2022
    80
    This is the most esoteric, thinking-person’s cloud rap album I’ve heard since Shabazz Palaces’ Black Up, and I mean that in the most endearing, complimentary way possible.
    Read full review
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