Image from Warner Records 2025
Rapper Earl Sweatshirt quietly released a new album, “Live Laugh Love,” that builds upon a sample-heavy production style, rhyme-heavy lyricism and themes of personal growth.
Sweatshirt, whose legal name is Thebe Neruda Kgositsile, didn’t use much marketing to promote the album, but rather staged a listening party on the night of Aug. 15.
The listening party gained attention on social media and the entertainment website Complex covered the event.
Gatherers were offered printed zines with contributions by celebrities such as Donald Glover, Dave Chappelle, Cheryl Harris and many more, according to an Aug. 16 Complex Instagram post.
The zine contains poems and written pieces around the themes of growth, family and love. Some entries were comedic, while others were very thoughtful, as seen in a post by Reddit user richard1292 from Aug. 16.
Pieces talked about loving yourself, learning to grow with the struggles of life, while some were plain and simple. Donald Glover’s piece said, “Don’t let them get you in trouble for being who you are,” which helps accentuate the themes of growth in the new album.
The zine felt much more intriguing than the listening party itself, as it helped to expand thoughts on the album’s contents.
In this new project, Sweatshirt discusses his personal growth in comparison to his time as an adolescent, both lyrically and rhythmically.
Songs like “Gamma (need the <3)” feature lyrics that say, “Love leaving, it’s unappealing to be stuck / You stayed under, I stay wondering why ‘cause the wave undulates and I’m on a high.”
The song explores the importance of companionship and friendship in navigating adulthood.
Aside from this commentary, he says, “I couldn’t wait, couldn’t shake the notion my fate was up for me to decide,” referring to his personal control over his future.
Another song, “Live,” talks about the importance of navigating life itself. “Tapped in, locked in with my little boy / I’ma lead you to the river, I can’t sip it for you / Never lead with indecision, never leave the homies / Unless it’s time to leave the homies.”
The songs in this album feature very atmospheric and sample-heavy production styles.
Earl’s 2018 album, “Some Rap Songs,” changed the direction of his future production, as prior albums were much less sample-heavy.
In comparison to when Sweatshirt’s albums began this new direction, “Some Rap Songs” in production felt very distorted, disturbing and still whimsical in a sense.
The newest release sounds more static, soul and R&B influenced, while still maintaining a rhythmic hip-hop sound.
“Live Laugh Love” feels much more coherent with its use of samples, but manages to maintain that same feeling that previous albums gave.
Throughout the lyrics, he talks about handling family death, going to Samoa for reform school and his continuing mental health as an adult.
As a teenager, Sweatshirts’ mother, Cheryl Harris, sent him to therapeutic boarding school, Coral Reef Academy, to compete with Sweatshirts’ abrasive lifestyle while with Odd Future, according to an Interview Magazine article in 2013.
Odd Future allowed Sweatshirt to expand on his lyricism and expressive nature in music; however, the edgy nature of his and others in the collective before boarding school was not liked by his mother.
Sweatshirt’s lyrics in the song “Chum” discuss his life after, showcasing one of many meaningful songs about growth throughout Sweatshirt’s discography.
“From honor roll to cracking locks up off them bicycle racks / I’m indecisive, I’m scatterbrained, and I’m frightened.”
In the song “TOURMALINE,” the beat takes a lighter tone with a stringy sample in the background while talking about his family and the struggles they face.
Lyrically, the song stands out as Sweatshirt takes time to sing the beginning chorus.
Later singing “She found me on the streets, she vowin’ to keep my feet grounded / For my sweet child / The struggle not a team sport.”
Talking about mental health and life’s difficulties is not a new subject for Sweatshirt, but one that has significantly changed as he has grown from an artist and a person.
Songs like “Chum” showcase the darkness that shrouded Sweatshirt’s life, but not so much in this new project.
In comparison to previous albums, “Live Laugh Love” showcases him in a happier light while still commemorating the grievances that come with adulthood.
Sweatshirt delivers once again and leaves listeners waiting for the next update to Thebe’s life.