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Pompeii // Utility
Image
Studio album by
Earl Sweatshirt, Mike, and SURF GANG
ReleasedApril 3, 2026
Recorded2023–2025
Genres
Length64:34
Labels
Producers
Earl Sweatshirt chronology
Live Laugh Love
(2025)		 Pompeii // Utility
(2026)
Mike chronology
Pinball II
(2025)		 Pompeii // Utility
(2026)
Surf Gang chronology
Amnesia
(2025)		 Pompeii // Utility
(2026)
Singles from Pompeii // Utility
  1. "Earth" / "Minty"
    Released: March 10, 2026
  2. "Leadbelly"
    Released: March 25, 2026
  3. "Home on the Range" / "Back Home"
    Released: March 30, 2026
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic77/100[2]
Review scores
SourceRating
The GuardianStarStarStarStarImage[3]
The Needle Drop5/10[4]
NMEStarStarStarStarImage[5]
PasteC[6]
Pitchfork7.3/10[1]

Pompeii // Utility (stylized in all caps) is a collaborative studio album by American rappers Earl Sweatshirt and Mike with production collective Surf Gang, released on April 3, 2026, via 10k Global, Tan Cressida, and Surf Gang Records. It is a double album consisting of two solo projects—Pompeii by Mike and Utility by Sweatshirt—which are fully produced by Surf Gang. Guest appearances include Anysia Kym, Jadasea, Niontay, and Na-Kel Smith on Pompeii, and Lerado Khalil on Utility.

Earl Sweatshirt and Mike's relationship began as early as 2016, when the former was introduced to the latter's music. Throughout the year, they inspired and collaborated on each other's projects. Surf Gang is a New York-based record label and production collective known for their fast-paced and mechanical production. Following collaborations on two tracks, the collective began recording with Earl Sweatshirt and Mike between 2023 and 2025 in New York and Los Angeles.

Announced in March 2026, promotion of the album consists of releasing two singles, "Earth / Minty" and "Leadbelly", and a concert tour is set to take place from May to September 2026. The album artwork for Project // Utility was designed by sculptor Sharif Farrag. The project follows Earl Sweatshirt's Live Laugh Love (2025) and Mike's Showbiz! (2025), and consists of thirty-three tracks, with fifteen from the latter and eighteen from the former. The project received mixed to positive reviews from critics.

Background

[edit]

Earl Sweatshirt and Mike's connection began when mutual friend and rapper Wiki introduced the latter's music to him in 2016,[7] eventually connecting via journalist Matthew Trammell when he showed Mike's track, "40 Stops" (2016), to Earl Sweatshirt.[8] After listening to the track, the latter purchased Mike's debut project, Longest Day (2016), for $45 on Bandcamp. Preceding this event, Mike was a fan of Earl Sweatshirt's music.[8]

Gradually, Earl Sweatshirt's role in Mike's career evolved from an inspiration to a mentor, encouraging the latter with new ways of artistic expression. During Mike's interview with Bandcamp in 2017, he revealed Earl Sweatshirt's role in shaping his project, May God Bless Your Hustle (2017). He also reflected on when Earl Sweatshirt took him out for lunch at Kottu House in the Lower East Side of New York. Mike began to influence Earl Sweatshirt's artistry as well, impacting his 2018 studio album, Some Rap Songs.[8]

Following Mike's tenure as an opening act in Earl Sweatshirt's Fire It Up Tour in 2019, they regularly contacted each other personally and professionally,[7] first collaborating when the latter appeared on the former's track "Allstar" from Weight of the World (2020).[9][10][8] This continued with Earl Sweatshirt appearing on Mike's "Plz Don't Cut My Wings" from Burning Desire (2023),[11] "On God" with Tony Seltzer and Tony Shhnow from Pinball (2024),[12] and "Jumanji" with Tony Seltzer from Pinball II (2025),[13] with vice versa on the former's "Sentry" with The Alchemist from Voir Dire (2023).[14][8]

Surf Gang is a New York-based record label and production collective founded by member Evilgiane in 2018, later providing production for Mike's "Belly 1" (2025) and Earl Sweatshirt's "Making the Band (Danity Kane)" (2023).[7] Mike also mentioned a project with Surf Gang in January 2025 that never materialized.[15] Pompeii // Utility was recorded in New York and Los Angeles between 2023 and 2025.[7][8] In 2025, Mike released Showbiz![16] and Pinball II (with Tony Seltzer),[13] and Earl Sweatshirt released Live Laugh Love,[17] all to critical acclaim from music critics.[18][9] Production collective Surf Gang also collaborated with British rapper Jawnino on the album, Amnesia, in December.[19][9]

Promotion and release

[edit]

On March 10, 2026, Earl Sweatshirt and Mike announced a double collaborative studio album, with production from Surf Gang,[18] consisting of members Harrison, Evilgiane, and Eera.[19] The album contains thirty-three tracks,[18] with fifteen from Mike and eighteen from Earl Sweatshirt.[9] According to a press conference, Project // Utility has been "many years in the making" that dates back to nearly a decade.[20] The album's title and concept were inspired by the eruption of Pompeii, based on themes of building and destruction in both the artwork and lyrical concepts, and evoking "African and diasporic traditions where art and story are collective, iterative, relational", representing a larger whole. All artwork supporting Project // Utility were designed by sculptor Sharif Farrag, Earl Sweatshirt's close friend.[21] Anysia Kym, Jadasea, Niontay, and Na-Kel Smith appears on Pompeii, while Lerado Khalil is the sole feature on Utility.[15]

The same day of the album's announcement, a double-single was released, consisting of Mike's "Minty", produced by Evilgiane and Pentagrvm, and Earl Sweatshirt's "Earth", produced by Harrison.[22][9] A music video was also released the same day, directed by Ian Lopez and Richard Phillip Smith. It is visually structured in a two-part experience,[18] both taking place in remote areas, "while they enjoy each other's company."[20] Artistically, the album plans to blend Earl Sweatshirt and Mike's introspective and lyrical patterns with Surf Gang's "faster-paced, minimal, mechanical textures."[7] The group also announced their North American and European tour, Home on the Range,[21] to support the album, beginning on June 9, in Riverside, California, and concluding on September 8, in Tilburg, Netherlands.[23] Pre-sale tickets began on March 11, with general on-sale tickets beginning two days later.[20] They will also hold a single concert on April 24 in Mexico City, Mexico.[23] On March 24, they announced shows in Australia and New Zealand scheduled in May.[24] The following day, Earl Sweatshirt and Mike released the album's second single, "Leadbelly",[25] with an accompanied music video.[26] The album was released on April 3,[23] through 10k, Tan Cressida, and Surf Gang Records.[19]

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Michael Bonema, with additional lyricists noted.

Mike – Pompeii
No.TitleLyricsMusicProducer(s)Length
1."The Fall" 
1:36
2."My Worst (Rebuke)" 
  • Bonema
  • Luke Fenton
  • Ian Mills
  • Harrison Sutherland
  • Harrison
  • Loukeman
  • Mills
1:20
3."Da Bid" (featuring Jadasea)Jack D'Cruz
2:47
4."Not 4tw" (featuring Anysia Kym)Anysia Kim Batts
  • Bonema
  • Batts
  • Kgositsile
  • Sutherland
  • Harrison
  • Earl Sweatshirt
2:49
5."The Pope" 
  • Bonema
  • Sutherland
Harrison2:13
6."Afro" 
  • Bonema
  • Nelson
Flea Diamonds2:09
7."Minty" 
  • Bonema
  • Chenheu
  • Dorian Dixon
  • Evilgiane
  • Pentagrvm
1:48
8."F.E.A.R." (featuring Niontay)Niontay Hicks
  • Bonema
  • Hicks
  • Surf Gang
Surf Gang2:14
9."Tampering" 
  • Bonema
  • Sundiata Reneaux
  • Sutherland
  • Harrison
  • Sundiata
1:14
10."Shutter Island" 
  • Bonema
  • Nelson
Flea Diamonds1:12
11."Back LA" (featuring Na-Kel Smith)Na-Kel Smith
  • Bonema
  • Smith
  • Sutherland
Harrison2:42
12."Back Home" 
  • Bonema
  • Sutherland
Harrison1:36
13."Kirkland" (featuring Earl Sweatshirt)Kgositsile
  • Bonema
  • Kgositsile
  • Sutherland
Harrison1:33
14."#Free #Mike" 
  • Bonema
  • Jeremy McCoulsky
  • Sutherland
  • Harrison
  • RedLee
1:21
15."Man of the Month" 
  • Bonema
  • Hicks
  • Sutherland
  • Harrisonn
  • Niontay
2:52
Total length:29:28

All lyrics are written by Thebe Kgositsile.

Earl Sweatshirt – Utility
No.TitleMusicProducer(s)Length
1."This2shallpass"
0:56
2.":( Again :)"
  • Kgositsile
  • Sutherland
Harrison2:06
3."Home on the Range"
  • Kgositsile
  • Sutherland
Harrison1:38
4."React"
  • Kgositsile
  • Osyris Israel
  • Sutherland
  • Harrison
  • Earl Sweatshirt
  • Israel
2:49
5."Hot Water (Cahuilla)"
  • Kgositsile
  • Sutherland
Harrison2:33
6."Rectangle Lens"
  • Kgositsile
  • Sutherland
Harrison1:38
7."Leadbelly" (featuring Mike)
  • Kgositsile
  • Billy de Figueras
  • Antonio Hernandez
  • Eli Propper
  • Sutherland
  • Sutherland
  • Elipropperr
  • Tony Seltzer
2:33
8."Quikk"
  • Kgositsile
  • Sutherland
  • Harrison
  • Earl Sweatshirt
2:03
9."Ew!"
  • Kgositsile
  • Cameron Pickering
  • Sutherland
  • Harrison
  • CajM
1:39
10."Earth"
  • Kgositsile
  • Sutherland
Harrison1:38
11."Chali 2na"
  • Kgositsile
  • Chenheu
  • Philip Müller
  • Evilgiane
  • Djh
1:35
12."Sisyphus"
  • Kgositsile
  • Sutherland
Harrison1:30
13."Locusts" (featuring Lerado Khalil)
  • Kgositsile
  • Justin Simpson
  • Sutherland
Harrison2:10
14."Tour de France"
  • Kgositsile
  • Sutherland
Harrison1:46
15."Chicago"
  • Kgositsile
  • De Figueras
  • Hernandez
  • Sutherland
  • Harrison
  • Tony Seltzer
1:48
16."Book of Eli"
  • Kgositsile
  • De Figueras
  • Hernandez
  • Sutherland
  • Harrison
  • Earl Sweatshirt
  • Tony Seltzer
1:51
17."AOK"
  • Kgositsile
  • Sutherland
Harrison3:22
18."Don't Worry!"
  • Kgositsile
  • Pickering
  • Sutherland
  • Harrison
  • CajM
1:31
Total length:35:06

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Pompeii // Utility
Chart (2026) Peak
position
UK Album Downloads (Official Charts)[27]24
UK Independent Albums (Official Charts)[28]46
UK R&B Albums (Official Charts)[29]8
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[30]34

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 Lafontant, Olivier (April 6, 2026). "Pompeii//Utility/Earl Sweatshirt/MIKE/Surf Gang". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on April 6, 2026. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  2. ↑ "POMPEII // UTILITY by Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE & SURF GANG by Earl Sweatshirt Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 23, 2025. Retrieved September 2, 2026.
  3. ↑ D'Souza, Shaad (April 3, 2026). "Earl Sweatshirt, Mike and Surf Gang: Pompeii // Utility review – rap radicals' appealing study in contrasts". The Guardian.
  4. ↑ "Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE & Surf Gang - POMPEII // UTILITY ALBUM REVIEW". Anthony Fantano. Archived from the original on April 8, 2026. Retrieved April 3, 2026 – via YouTube.
  5. ↑ Saleh, Oumar (April 3, 2026). "Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE and Surf Gang – 'Pompeii // Utility' review: a sprawling, two-headed opus from rap's most restless minds". NME. Archived from the original on April 6, 2026. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  6. ↑ Inscoe-Jones, Liam (April 4, 2026). "Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE sound directionless on the SURF GANG-produced POMPEII // UTILITY". Paste. Archived from the original on April 6, 2026. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Igbokwe, Cynthia (March 11, 2026). "MIKE and Earl Sweatshirt share the story behind their new double album". The Face. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bernstein, Elaina (March 16, 2023). "Chronicling Earl Sweatshirt x MIKE's Collaborative History". Hypebeast. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Breihan, Tom (March 10, 2026). "Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE, & Surf Gang Announce New Album Pompeii / Utility". Stereogum. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  10. ↑ Breihan, Tom (June 22, 2020). "MIKE - 'Allstar' (Feat. Earl Sweatshirt)". Stereogum. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  11. ↑ Callender, Brandon (October 18, 2023). "Mike: Burning Desire Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  12. ↑ Lewis, Dash (March 18, 2024). "MIKE / Tony Seltzer: Pinball". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  13. 1 2 Takanashi, Lei (May 19, 2025). "MIKE / Tony Seltzer: Pinball II". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on May 25, 2025. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  14. ↑ van Nguyen, Dean (August 29, 2023). "Earl Sweatshirt / The Alchemist: Voir Dire Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  15. 1 2 Medithi, Vivian (March 10, 2026). "MIKE, Earl Sweatshirt, and Surf Gang announce Pompeii // Utility". The Fader. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  16. ↑ Lewis, Dash (January 31, 2025). "MIKE: Showbiz!". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  17. ↑ Pierre, Alphonse (August 28, 2025). "Earl Sweatshirt: Live Laugh Love Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on August 28, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  18. 1 2 3 4 Murray, Robin (March 10, 2026). "Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE, Surf Gang Align For Pompeii // Utility". Clash. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  19. 1 2 3 Suskind, Alex (March 10, 2026). "Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE, and Surf Gang Made an Album Together". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  20. 1 2 3 Alston, Trey (March 10, 2026). "MIKE, Earl Sweatshirt, and Surf Gang Announce New Double Album, Reveal Upcoming Tour Dates". Consequence. Archived from the original on March 11, 2026. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  21. 1 2 Bernstein, Elaina (March 10, 2026). "Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE and Surf Gang Are Dropping a Collab Project". Hypebeast. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  22. ↑ Schube, Will (March 10, 2026). "Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE, and Surf Gang Unite for Pompeii // Utility Double Album and Tour". Flood Magazine. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  23. 1 2 3 Rossignol, Derrick (March 10, 2026). "Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE, And Surf Gang Announce Pompeii // Utility". Uproxx. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  24. ↑ Lynch, Jessica (March 24, 2026). "Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE Set Australian Tour Dates Ahead of Joint Album Release". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  25. ↑ Cole, Alexander (March 25, 2026). "'Leadbelly' - Song by Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE, & Surf Gang". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  26. ↑ Briehan, Tom (March 25, 2026). "Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE, & SURF GANG - 'Leadbelly'". Stereogum. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Official Album Downloads Chart on 10/4/2026 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Official Independent Albums Chart on 10/4/2026 – Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Official R&B Albums Chart on 10/4/2026 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Earl Sweatshirt Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
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