The fear, doubt and anguish expressed by Earl Sweatshirt on Doris mirrored my state of mind at the time of its release. The harrowing masterpiece was my top album of 2013. I’m in a much better place now. Unfortunately, Earl’s new EP Sick! indicates he continues to struggle. Seemingly short of breath and resigned to hopelessness, the grimy aesthetics of Sick! are matched by correspondingly anguished lyrics. Emotionally invested in the well being of the prodigiously talented rapper, I’m torn by my admiration of art inspired by unrelenting pain. I still care about how he feels.