"The best melodies on here make up the most sunkissed, playful arrangements MIKE and Earl have ever rapped on: the spry, wavering fuzz at the heart of 'Home on the Range,' the meditative drone of '#FREE #MIKE,' the twinkly chimes fluttering through 'Tampering.'"
"A lot of the low end on the production really knocks, too. Off the drums alone, 'Ew!,' 'Man of the Month,' and 'F.E.A.R.' wouldn't feel out of place next to something from Veeze or Yachty."
"That this isn't a more ornate, Watch the Throne-type album is a bit deflating; the two collab tracks between the duo - 'Leadbelly' and 'Kirkland' - display how much of their synergy is left untapped across the 31 other tracks."
POMPEII // UTILITY features MIKE and Earl navigating life on the road with a mix of playful melodies and lethargic moments. While some tracks like 'Shutter Island' and 'Hot Water' revert to familiar styles, others showcase fresh, sunkissed arrangements. The production, led by Harrison, includes standout beats that resonate with energy. However, the collaboration lacks the depth expected from the duo, with only two tracks fully realizing their potential synergy. Overall, the album feels more like a playlist than a cohesive project.
Read at Pitchfork
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