“Minty” and “Earth” feel like late-night headphone music.

MIKE and Earl Sweatshirt have teamed up with Surf Gang for an ambitious upcoming release titled POMPEII / UTILITY. Scheduled to arrive on April 3rd, the project will be split into two halves. The first section of the album will primarily showcase MIKE’s style and storytelling, while the second half will allow Earl Sweatshirt to step in and guide the sound across another batch of tracks.

To build anticipation for the project, the trio has released a two-song preview featuring “Minty” and “Earth.” The first track, “Minty,” kicks things off with a bass-heavy instrumental that feels hypnotic from the start. The production carries a steady tempo, while glitchy textures and subtle darkness swirl throughout the beat. MIKE slides over the instrumental effortlessly, delivering laid-back verses with his signature slur and relaxed flow.

Once the beat shifts into “Earth,” the atmosphere becomes even more experimental. The production softens into something slightly more soothing while still maintaining a moody edge. Earl Sweatshirt enters at this point, delivering a performance that feels introspective and quietly intense. His mumbled cadence fits perfectly over the hazy beat, adding another dimension to the track.

“Minty” and “Earth” give listeners a glimpse of the sonic world MIKE, Earl Sweatshirt, and Surf Gang are building with POMPEII / UTILITY. I guess I’ll have to be there when they drop their new project.

Quincy

Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.