Seattle’s second incredibly talented experimental hip hop duo THEESatisfaction returns with EarthEE, a follow up to their Sub Pop debut that boasts a more fleshed out and enjoyable set of songs than their somewhat timid 2012 outing AwE NaturalE. At about 12 solid minutes longer than its predecessor, EarthEE feels simultaneously more labored and smoother, a result that is undoubtedly due to the duo taking three years between their debut and the follow up. The songs feel more fully realized and the duo sounds much more confident in their lyrics and delivery, with less songs fizzling out or ending abruptly than on AwE NaturalE. And while there isn’t anything on EarthEE as immediate or hooky as “QueenS” from their debut, this record does not seem to concern itself with being immediately accessible. Rather, it rewards close study and repeated listens. In this way EarthEE feels much more like an album proper than the mixtape feel of AwE NaturalE.
Fans of THEESatisfaction can take solace however in the fact that sonically the album sounds quite similar to their first. Though the production can sound a bit underwhelming at times thanks to a variety of factory preset 80s sounding synthesizers and some muddy mixing, EarthEE still has a lot to offer. The lyrics range from psychedelic to prophetic and are always socially conscious, as with the standout track “Blandland” featuring Ishmael Butler from Shabazz Palaces. These two groups work flawlessly together, and any time one group appears on the others album rest assured you’re in for a treat. “Planet For Sale” is also a strong track, as is the first single “Recognition,” which functions in many ways as a mission statement for the record. THEESatisfaction may have a lot to say on EarthEE, but they’ve absolutely earned that privilege by putting together an incredibly solid album. 
8/10
**Call 225-578-5578 to request some tracks from this album. Tell em McFly sent ya!