{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Mirrorland | type = Studio | artist = EarthGang | cover = Mirrorland.jpg | alt = | released = September 6, 2019 | recorded = 2015–2019 | venue = | studio = | genre = {{hlist|Southern hip-hop<ref name="PitchforkFeature"/>|funk<ref name="PitchforkFeature"/>|soul<ref name="PitchforkFeature"/>|jazz rap<ref name="Uproxx"/>|neo soul<ref name="PitchforkReview"/>}} | length = 55:20 | label = {{hlist|Dreamville|Interscope|Spillage Village}} | producer = {{hlist|J. Cole (also {{abbr|exec.|Executive producer}})|Ibrahim Hamad (exec.)|Ant Chambers|Big Korey|Bink|Brian Malik Baptiste|Childish Major|Christo|D.K. the Punisher|DJ Dahi|DJ Khalil|Dre|Edsclusive|Elite|Groove|Lido|Natra Average|Olu|Pete Nebula|Rahki|Ron Gilmore|VOU}} | prev_title = Royalty | prev_year = 2018 | next_title = Spilligion | next_year = 2020 | misc = {{Singles | name = Mirrorland | type = studio | single1 = Stuck | single1date = September 21, 2018 | single2 = Proud of U | single2date = February 5, 2019 | single3 = UP | single3date = August 30, 2019 }} }}
'''''Mirrorland''''' is the major label debut studio album by American hip-hop duo EarthGang, released on September 6, 2019, by Dreamville, Interscope, and Spillage Village. The album includes features from Young Thug, T-Pain, Kehlani, Arin Ray, and Malik. The production of the album was handled by a variety of producers including Olu, J. Cole, Elite, Ron Gilmore, Christo, Bink, DJ Dahi, Childish Major and Groove, among others.<ref>{{cite web |title=EarthGang Drops Major Label Debut Album "Mirrorland" |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.52407/title.earthgang-says-mirrorland-album-drops-in-september |website=HipHopDX |date=5 September 2019 |accessdate=6 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Stream EarthGang's New Album 'Mirrorland' f/ Young Thug, Kehlani, and T-Pain |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/09/earthgang-mirrorland-stream |website=Complex |accessdate=6 September 2019}}</ref>
==Background== While touring in 2016, EarthGang began conceptualizing a "deconstructed album" which would form the three EPs, leading up to their major label debut album, ''Mirrorland''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Ivey|first1=Justin|title=EarthGang Explain How They Got Signed By J. Cole, "Rags" EP & Upcoming Projects|url=https://hiphopdx.com/interviews/id.3066/title.earthgang-explain-how-they-got-signed-by-j-cole-rags-ep-upcoming-projects#signup|website=HipHopDX|accessdate=March 4, 2018|date=September 26, 2017}}</ref> The trilogy: ''Rags'', ''Robots'', and ''Royalty'' were released between 2017 and 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mendez |first1=Marisa |title=EARTHGANG'S 'MIRRORLAND' ALBUM ARRIVES THIS YEAR |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2019/01/earthgang-mirrorland-album-arrives-this-year/ |website=XXL|date=24 January 2019 }}</ref> EarthGang describes the album as a "cinematic musical experience filled with delectation and delight."<ref>{{cite web |title=EarthGang Is Dreamville's Eclectic Duo Forever Pushing Boundaries Read More: EarthGang Is Dreamville's Eclectic Duo Forever Pushing Boundaries |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/xxl-magazine/2019/03/earthgang-interview-dreamville-eclectic-duo-pushing-boundaries/ |website=XXL |date=28 March 2019 |accessdate=3 September 2019}}</ref>
In an interview with ''Pitchfork'', Olu said the album is inspired by ''The Wiz'', the 1978 film adaptation of the Broadway musical based on ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz''. {{cquote|We thought about how, if we're going to make a project sonically to rival The Wiz, we got to create another world for people to imagine and go to. You know when Dorothy got swept away and she met the Munchkins? That was such a beautiful thing. You could see Quincy Jones on the piano, just playing away. That's what "La La Challenge" is about. Right now, that's the intro to the whole record. It's really colorful. It's really dangerous. It's really trippy. It's literally Freaknik Atlanta in the summertime—folks riding around in cars with big rims with paint on their faces.<ref name="PitchforkFeature">{{cite web |last1=Wicker |first1=Jewel |title=EarthGang Are Carrying on the Legacy of Freaky Southern Rap |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/rising/earthgang-interview-mirrorland/ |website=Pitchfork |date=11 July 2019 |accessdate=2 September 2019}}</ref>}}
==Recording and production== On the album's opener, "LaLa Challenge", Olu says in his verse, "I been writing this album damn way too long." That song was recorded about halfway through completing ''Mirrorland'', and it represented the frustration they had on the album's long-awaited release.<ref name="HNfeature">{{cite web |last1=Rindner |first1=Grant |title=Earthgang on Making Transcendental Rap & Living Up to Their Endless Potential |url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/earthgang-mirrorland-interview/ |website=Highsnobiety |date=6 September 2019 |accessdate=8 September 2019}}</ref> In late 2015, EarthGang joined Mac Miller on the GO:OD AM tour, where WowGr8 was informed about the death of a longtime friend of his, who was killed attempting a robbery. The night they created the song "Swivel", they were sleeping on the floor in Bink's garage studio. It became one of the first songs they played for J. Cole before signing to Dreamville, and Cole suggested they hold the song for an album. As the song grew and changed like the rest of the album, it first appeared on ''Revenge of the Dreamers III''.<ref name="HNfeature"/>
None of songs from the recording sessions of the Dreamville compilation made it on ''Mirrorland'', Olu mentioned that it "opened up the creative space" as they continued to work on the album. "Top Down" was inspired from those sessions in Atlanta "because you can feel how the momentum was still there from the sessions where everybody just wanted to continue to [collaborate] and to be around one another in the studio." Although Cole isn't featured on the album, he played a direct and abstract role in the album's creation. "Tequila" was recorded at his North Carolina studio The Sheltuh.<ref name="HNfeature"/> In an interview with ''Vibe'', WowGr8 said "We studied soundtracks and scores, not in any attempts to end up on anybody's movie, but just in an attempt to make a project that feels like a movie."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ellis |first1=Stacy-Ann |title=EarthGang's Globetrotting Will Play A Major Part In Their Cinematic 'MirrorLand' Album |url=https://www.vibe.com/2018/07/earthgang-mirrorland-album-dreamville-interview |website=Vibe |date=19 July 2018 |accessdate=8 September 2019}}</ref>
==Release and promotion== ===Singles=== On September 4, 2018, EarthGang premiered the song "UP" on the Berlin platform ''Colors Studio''.<ref>{{cite web |title=EarthGang preview Mirrorland album with new song "Up": Watch |url=https://consequence.net/2018/09/earthgang-up-new-song/ |website=Consequence of Sound|date=4 September 2018 }}</ref> On September 21, they released a single titled "Stuck" featuring Arin Ray.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stream EarthGang's "Stuck" Featuring Arin Ray |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/116980-stream-earthgangs-stuck-featuring-arin-ray-new-song |website=HotNewHipHop|date=21 September 2018 }}</ref> On February 5, 2019, they released the second single "Proud of U" featuring Young Thug.<ref>{{cite web |title=Young Thug Joins Atlanta Duo EarthGang for "Proud of U" |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/02/young-thug-atlanta-duo-earthgang-proud-of-u |website=Complex |accessdate=5 February 2019}}</ref> The song "Swivel" was released on Dreamville's compilation album ''Revenge of the Dreamers III'' on July 5, as a preview of the album.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pearce |first1=Sheldon |title=Various Artists - Revenge of the Dreamers III |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/various-artists-revenge-of-the-dreamers-iii/ |website=Pitchfork |date=July 9, 2019}}</ref> On August 30, they officially released the single "UP".<ref>{{cite web |title=Dreamville's2019/8/earthgang-up-single-stream |website=Hypebeast }}</ref> On September 2, they announced the release date of the album and released the promotional single "Ready to Die".<ref name="respect-mag.com">{{cite web |title=EARTHGANG Shares "Ready To Die" Ahead Of 'Mirrorland' Album |url=https://respect-mag.com/2019/09/earthgang-shares-ready-to-die-ahead-of-mirrorland-album/ |website=Respect |date=2 September 2019 |accessdate=2 September 2019}}</ref>
===Tours=== On September 5, the duo launched a mobile video game named after the album. EarthGang went on a 20-date "What On Earth" Tour in Europe from September to October, and announced the first leg of the "Welcome to Mirrorland" Tour in North America, with Guapdad 4000, Duckwrth, and Benji. In December, they announced a short Australian "Down Under" Tour.<ref>{{cite web |title=Earthgang Announces Their 'Welcome To Mirrorland' Tour In Support Of Their Upcoming Debut Album |url=https://uproxx.com/music/earthgang-welcome-to-mirrorland-tour/ |website=Uproxx |date=4 September 2019 |accessdate=5 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=EarthGang announce "Welcome to Mirrorland" North American tour |url=https://consequence.net/2019/09/earthgang-north-american-tour/ |website=Consequence of Sound |date=4 September 2019 |access-date=5 September 2019}}</ref>
==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | MC = 79/100<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/mirrorland/earthgang|title=Reviews for Mirroland by EarthGang |publisher=Metacritic |accessdate=18 September 2019}}</ref> | rev1 = ''Exclaim!'' | rev1score = 7/10<ref name="Exclaim">{{cite web |last1=Kyle |first1=Mullin |title=EarthGang Mirrorland |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/earthgang-mirrorland |website=Exclaim |accessdate=14 September 2019}}</ref> | rev2 = ''HipHopDX'' | rev2score = {{rating|4.1|5}}<ref name="HipHopDX">{{cite web |last1=Wallace |first1=Riley |title=Review: EarthGang's Eclectic "Mirrorland" Is A Thoughtful Love Letter To Atlanta |url=https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.3534/title.review-earthgangs-eclectic-mirrorland-is-a-thoughtful-love-letter-to-atlanta |website=HipHopDX |date=18 September 2019 |accessdate=21 September 2019}}</ref> | rev3 = ''NME'' | rev3score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="NME">{{cite web |last1=Kyann-Sian |first1=Williams |title=EarthGang – 'Mirrorland' review |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/earthgang-mirrorland-review |website=NME |date=10 September 2019 |accessdate=11 September 2019}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Paste'' | rev4score = 7.5/10<ref name="Paste">{{cite web |last1=Pearce |first1=Sheldon |title=EARTHGANG Invites Us to the Fantasy of Mirrorland |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2019/09/earthgang-mirrorland-review.html |website=Paste |accessdate=21 September 2019}}</ref> | rev5 = ''Pitchfork'' | rev5score = 7.2/10<ref name="PitchforkReview">{{cite web |last1=Pearce |first1=Sheldon |title=EarthGang Mirrorland |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/earthgang-mirrorland/ |website=Pitchfork |accessdate=14 September 2019}}</ref> }}
''Mirrorland'' received generally positive reviews; aggregating website Metacritic reports a normalized rating of 79, based on 5 reviews.<ref name="Metacritic"/> Jewel Wicker of ''Pitchfork'' called the album EarthGang's most cohesive project to date, saying "''Mirrorland'' seduces listeners into the eclectic world of these two Atlanta dreamers. This is most apparent on the bulbous funk of "Wings", where Olu name-drops local landmarks including Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Interstate 85, and the Georgia Dome." She continued to write that the album "is a vivid ode to Southern black culture. Where the scratchy electric guitars in "Blue Moon" channel the region's soul and blues lineage, "Trippin" pays homage to turn-of-the-century R&B acts like Ginuwine. Elsewhere, standout "La La Challenge" shows the duo's restless curiosity as it twists and turns through Lil Wayne references, hip-hop minimalism, and an extended outro that brings to mind a fiery gospel service."<ref name="PitchforkFeature"/> Writing for ''DJBooth'', Yoh Phillips gave a positive review of the album saying "EarthGang not only wrote an album, but they also wrote a love letter. A letter to their blackness, to their musical roots, and to the city that raised them. The album represents EarthGang, an exhibition of their talents, and a glimpse into their world as they see it. Olu and WowGr8 avoid the allure of being anyone else, confident in their cool; comfortable with their weird."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Phillips |first1=Yoh |title=EarthGang 'MIRRORLAND' 1 Listen Album Review |url=https://djbooth.net/features/2019-09-06-earthgang-mirrorland-album-review-new-music |website=DJBooth |accessdate=8 September 2019}}</ref>
''NME'' gave the album a four of five star rating saying "Johnny Venus and Doctur Dot prove to everyone that rap groups are on the rise. In a genre overpopulated with solo artists, it's refreshing to see a duo emerge from the ashes. If you give the sick lyricism and jazz overtones a few more years, they could be the next Outkast."<ref name="NME"/> Aaron Williams of ''Uproxx'' wrote a favorable review of the album saying "''Mirrorland'' doesn't quite paint a picture of a new place as it does thoroughly explain Earthgang's unique outlook — and the history and locations that influenced it." The writer continued to say "it's just the way Earthgang sees Atlanta, through their own wavy lenses and strange sensibilities. It's also a strong argument that they're a worthy successor to Atlanta's inescapable, inimitable legacy."<ref name="Uproxx">{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Aaron |title=Earthgang Carve Their Own Piece Of Atlanta's Rap Legacy With The Psychedelic 'Mirrorland' |url=https://uproxx.com/music/earthgang-mirrorland-review/ |website=Uproxx |date=11 September 2019 |accessdate=13 September 2019}}</ref>
==Commercial performance== The album sold 11,856 album-equivalent units in the first week, debuting at number 40 on the US ''Billboard'' 200 chart and number 22 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/224507-earthgangs-mirrorland-first-week-sales-are-in-news | title=Earthgang's "Mirrorland" First Week Sales Are In| website=HNHH| date=17 September 2019| access-date=21 September 2019}}</ref>
==Track listing== {{track listing | extra_column = Producer(s) | title1 = LaLa Challenge | writer1 = {{hlist|Olu Fann|Eian Parker|Peter Losnegård}} | extra1 = {{hlist|Lido|Olu|J. Cole{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length1 = 3:51 | title2 = UP | writer2 = {{hlist|Fann|Parker|Edward Davadi|Ugur Tig}} | extra2 = {{hlist|VOU|Edsclusive}} | length2 = 3:35 | title3 = Top Down | writer3 = {{hlist|Fann|Parker|Markus Randle}} | extra3 = Childish Major | length3 = 3:16 | title4 = Bank | writer4 = {{hlist|Fann|Parker|Anthony Phillips|Korey Roberson}} | extra4 = {{hlist|Big Korey|Ant Chambers}} | length4 = 3:00 | title5 = Proud of U | note5 = featuring Young Thug | writer5 = {{hlist|Fann|Parker|Jeffery Williams|Mateo Arias}} | extra5 = Olu | length5 = 3:58 | title6 = This Side | writer6 = {{hlist|Fann|Parker|Christopher Gibbs}} | extra6 = {{hlist|Natra Average|Olu}} | length6 = 4:37 | title7 = Swivel | note7 = | writer7 = {{hlist|Fann|Parker|Roosevelt Harrell}} | extra7 = Bink! | length7 = 3:14 | title8 = Avenue | writer8 = {{hlist|Fann|Parker|Dacoury Natche}} | extra8 = {{hlist|DJ Dahi|Ron Gilmore{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length8 = 3:04 | title9 = Tequila | note9 = featuring T-Pain | writer9 = {{hlist|Fann|Parker|Anthony Parino|Faheem Najm}} | extra9 = Elite | length9 = 4:33 | title10 = Blue Moon | writer10 = {{hlist|Fann|Parker|Tyran Donaldson}} | extra10 = {{hlist|Pete Nebula|Ron Gilmore{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length10 = 3:58 | title11 = Trippin | note11 = featuring Kehlani | writer11 = {{hlist|Fann|Parker|John Welch|Benjamin Tolbert|Kehlani Parrish}} | extra11 = {{hlist|Groove|Christo|Olu}} | length11 = 4:18 | title12 = Stuck | note12 = featuring Arin Ray | writer12 = {{hlist|Fann|Armando Chaverri|Brian Malik Baptiste|Daniel Seeff|Parrino|Sam Barsh|Khalil Abdul-Rahman Hazzard|Ron Gilmore|Arin Ray}} | extra12 = {{hlist|Elite|Brian Malik Baptiste|DJ Khalil{{ref|a|[a]}}|Ron Gilmore{{ref|a|[a]}}}} | length12 = 4:30 | title13 = Fields | note13 = featuring Malik | writer13 = {{hlist|Fann|Parker|Keith Askey|Columbus T. Smith III|Baptiste}} | extra13 = {{hlist|Rahki|Ron Gilmore{{ref|a|[a]}}}} Armando Chaverri | length13 = 5:19 | title14 = Wings | writer14 = {{hlist|Fann|Parker|Donovan Knight|Andre Harris}} | extra14 = {{hlist|D.K. the Punisher|Dre}} | length14 = 4:07 | total_length = 55:20 }}
'''Notes''' * {{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies an additional producer * "This Side" contains additional vocals from Mereba * "Fields" contains additional vocals from BJ the Chicago Kid
'''Sample credits''' * "Proud of U" contains a sample of "Really Rong" performed by ¿Teo? * "UP" contains an interpolation of "Lady Marmalade" performed by Labelle and "Blue Suede Shoes" performed by Elvis Presley
==Personnel== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} '''Instrumentation''' * Nate Jones − bass {{small|(tracks 1, 9)}} * Tim Maxey − organ {{small|(tracks 1, 11)}} * Jasminfire − strings {{small|(track 9)}} * Yuli − strings {{small|(track 9)}} * Rasheeda Ali − flute {{small|(track 10)}} * Swayyvo − saxophone {{small|(track 10)}} * Dorran Thigpen − trumpet {{small|(track 10)}} * Olu − guitar {{small|(track 11)}} {{col-2}} '''Technical''' * Juro "Mez" Davis − mixing {{small|(tracks 1−4, 6−11, 13, 14)}} * Joe LaPorta − mastering {{small|(tracks 1−4, 6−14)}} * Julio Ulloa − assistant mixing {{small|(tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 8−11, 13, 14)}} * Lido − recording {{small|(track 1)}} * Shaan Singh − recording {{small|(track 5)}} * Alex Tumay − mixing {{small|(track 5)}} * Chris Athens − mastering {{small|(track 5)}} * E. Dan (ID Labs) − mixing {{small|(track 12)}} {{col-end}}
==Charts== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2019) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| Canadian Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-albums/2019-09-21|title=Billboard Canadian Albums: September 21, 2019|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=September 17, 2019}}</ref> | 81 |- {{album chart|Billboard200|40|M|url=https://twitter.com/billboardcharts/status/1173604178071040000|title=Debuts on this week's #Billboard200 (2/2)|work=Billboard on Twitter|artist=EarthGang|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 17, 2019}} |- |}
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
{{EarthGang}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:2019 debut albums Category:Dreamville Records albums Category:Interscope Records albums Category:Albums produced by J. Cole Category:EarthGang albums