Throughout the 2020s, Earl Sweatshirt has appeared on several MIKE projects, with the latter returning the favor on the Odd Future alumnus’ VOIR DIRE highlight “Sentry.” As such, nobody would’ve been surprised for these two individualistic and adept artists to put out a joint album. Instead, they’ve gone the bifurcation route like Outkast circa 2003 for POMPEII // UTILITY, a proper split-release united under the banner of SURF GANG. Fans who’ve adapted with both MCs’ sonic whims up until now should find the NYC-centric hip-hop collective’s heady production, courtesy of in-house talents like Evilgiane and Harrison, another gratifying twist. MIKE claims the first disc here, POMPEII, weaving through beatific bangers and atmospheric cuts like “Minty” and “THE POPE.” Having previously built with SURF GANG on the prior year’s Showbiz!, he nimbly modifies his dense, verbose flow to suit these experimental, loping beats, evidenced by “AFRO” and the closing “Man of the Month.” Reliable SURF GANG familiars Anysia Kym and Niontay drop in for “NOT 4TW” and “F.E.A.R.,” respectively, while erstwhile Odd Futurian Na-Kel Smith mumbles in luxury for his own “Back LA” verse. Though Earl offers a sneak preview of what to except from his side with the POMPEII track “Kirkland,” UTILITY finds him fully immersed in a unique aesthetic. Not entirely unlike 2025’s Live Laugh Love, this vibey volume allows for a looser, punched-in feel, even though he’s as lyrically sound as ever on “Earth” and the disorienting “Home on the Range.” While much of his effort exists within a decidedly ethereal realm of sonics, he administers small bops as well, namely “Chali 2na” and “Tour de France.”