Photo by Ian Buosi

Beyond a few tracks here and there throughout the years, the fact that MIKE and Earl Sweatshirt are just getting around to doing a full-blown collaboration together alongside the wildly eclectic NYC hip-hop collective SURF GANG feels like something that has already happened. That’s probably because each of these all-stars within the modern rap underground are so closely orbiting one another’s work, and not just feeding off one another’s inspiration but co-signing it.

Well, it’s finally becoming a real thing in the long format form. Their forthcoming album, POMPEII / UTILITY, arrives on the heels of each of its main names’ respective recent bests in SHOWBIZ! and Live Laugh Love, and is nothing short of a perfect way to celebrate all of their creative contributions crossing paths at their peaks.

On the double LP’s first coupling of previews, “Minty” and “Earth”, they’re doing so with curation in mind. The MIKE-fronting former listen — a low-lit LCD beat with a vaped hum beneath it produced by evilgiane and DC beatmaker Pentagrvm — and the Earl-versed “EARTH” — a glass-shattered mirror reflection helmed by SURF GANG member Harrison — pairs each’s straight-forward finesse without overstepping one another’s toes. And why should they? The chill minimalism behind each’s bars don’t undercut the heavy currents over them. Life’s waves hit hard enough. No need to show boat when the natural chemistry glows radiant.

MIKE, Earl Sweatshirt & SURF GANG’s POMPEII / UTILITY will be released April 3rd on 10k / Tan Cressida.