Doris by Earl Sweatshirt – review

When Earl – both the youngest and the gravest persona in hyperactiveLA rap collective Odd Future – released a mixtape of deft if dyspeptic rap three years ago, he seemed to be the group's pre-eminent talent, a suspicion confirmed by this label debut. The beats remain dank and murky but the subject matter has thankfully left behind rape and murder narratives for the introspective and confessional. His trademark reticence (both this and 2010's Earl begin with voices needling him to speak) means he gives away too many verses: the best tracks are him and him alone.