War in my Pen

MIKE - War in my Pen
Critic Score
Based on 1 review
User Score
Based on 409 ratings
2018 Rank: #164
Liked by 40 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

76
Pitchfork

Of MIKE’s four projects last year, War in My Pen is the cleanest-sounding, but the New York rapper still prizes a faraway vibe that rewards close listening.

WhatTheFunk
NR

On "Some Rap Songs", Earl Sweatshirt is really inspired by MIKE (no, it's not MIKE that was inspired by Earl). MIKE shares at least one thing in common with Earl Sweatshirt: they both faced depression. Deprived of a maternal figure and prone to aggression as a teenager, he starts playing music in 2015 for clean is mind, a poster of King Krule and another of MF Doom on the walls of his room. By putting words on his ills, Michael Bonema has become more relaxed. He has buried his demons ... read more

kirumi
60

MIKE - [6/12]

MIKE's open diary.

I feel really bad for this rating. Not only because of how personal it must have been for Mike to make this, but also based on the fact that there are some great tracks on here. If Renaissance Man was Mike relating to Earl's music from a production stand point, War in My Pen is Mike relating to Earl on a more emotional standpoint. With very depressing lyrics and a constant feeling of isolation and loneliness throughout this whole record, it makes for one of ... read more

Mozart
72

"War in my Pen" might be imperfect, but it emits MIKE's uniqueness earlier in the abstract hip hop scene.

With his mumble-y delivery sometimes muffled in the mix, MIKE's presence on this tape can be hard to digest at first. But, his introspection and wisdom paired with production that ranges from the rough, choppy samples to the hazy, lowkey melodies here has been catching up lots of interest for me with how it works out. It might not be the best record you can get from this style of ... read more

ENFP369
80

he just like me fr??!

it feels so personal like a conversation with a friend. its an everyday listen for me these days

R3N
80

I love the mellowness on sum of these tracks.

Favourite track - Like My Mama.

gung
91

the 3rd and final album in 2018 from MIKE is definitely the best and my favorite from him so far it reminds me of some rap songs with the abstract experimental production and depressing lyrics some great shit i hope it only get better from here

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Track List

1choco
1:34
78
2grabba
2:33
83
3October Baby
2:08
85
4neverKnocked
3:04
90
5Rottweiler
3:14
81
6Like My Mama
2:39
80
7Prayers
3:05
with Medhane
93
8UCR
2:41
87
9Red Sox/babylon
3:21
85
10AFC
2:16
78
11Nothin' To Me
1:47
75
12smoke
1:25
70
13For You
3:08
83
Total Length: 32 minutes
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Added on: December 21, 2018