Anime, Trauma and Divorce

Open Mike Eagle - Anime, Trauma and Divorce
Critic Score
Based on 8 reviews
2020 Ratings: #187 / 871
User Score
Based on 567 ratings
2020 Rank: #494
Liked by 49 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

90
Clash
A lesser rapper might sink in the mire, but Open Mike has always been dope on the mic, and ‘Anime, Trauma and Divorce’ find him at his best.
83
Beats Per Minute

Anime, Trauma and Divorce is a self-help rap record that manages to be heart-breaking and humorous at the same time, and never takes its audience for granted, which is a rare find in any medium.

80
Pitchfork

On his bleakly comic new album, Open Mike Eagle surveys the damage of one terrible year, using anime mythology as a lens for examining real-life pain.

80
AllMusic
The album's numerous anime references will be lost on listeners who don't follow the art form, but nearly anyone can relate to his confusion, weariness, and desire to set things back on the right path.
80
DIY

Life may have given Open Mike Eagle some fresh citrus fruit, but this resulting record is some sweet, sweet lemonade.

80
The Line of Best Fit
Open Mike Eagle working through his pain is more gleeful than many MCs rapping about their best days, so more is always welcome.
80
Loud and Quiet

This record will earn the cultish acclaim coming its way.

60
The Needle Drop

While it's certainly understandable that Open Mike Eagle is still processing the events that inspire his latest album, it's hard not to feel the narratives lack the depth of his past work.

PelicanManners
78

This is an album that I truly admire. It accompanied me during one of the most stressful times for me, last year's October - December quarantine. Mike himself described this as his most deeply personal album. Apparently it was pointed out to him by his therapist, that he has a unique outlet to voice his feelings and personal issues. That's exactly what he did with this release, he opened up. The album started out as Mike exploring the relationship between anime and African American people. For ... read more

MasterCrackfox
81

Open Mike Eagle really gained prominence on his album from 2017, Brick Body Kids Still Daydream, which was my first introduction to the artist. However, he's been floating around for over a decade now as a member of hip hop collectives and more prominently as a comedian and podcaster. His time on Comedy Central may have been a big moment for him to grab the spotlight and show what he could do, and by the time his 2017 album came out it was finally time for him to shine as a musician. That album ... read more

DCCXX
30

Over his extensive hip-hop career, Open Mike Eagle hasn't really proved why he should be regarded as highly as others in a similar vein of conscious (and self-conscious) hip-hop. Busdriver's manic delivery and off-kilter song progressions, milo's convoluted philosophical musings, and Elucid's performances with billy woods as Armand Hammer all serve as figureheads of this alternative style, while Mike plays second fiddle with comatose, almost expressionless rapping and meek beat selection. With ... read more

Rollo_P
73

I've always said Phonte would be my first pick of any rapper to become irl friends with but honorable mention to OME - his dry humor, anime loving ass is all ya need in a buddy really. This project showcases that plenty, although the lack of hardest hitting tracks is a bit noticeable.

0bones
90

I think this record is really incredible. Surprisingly low score here but maybe I'm just easy to entertain, or I just love OME like that. I'm thinking the latter. The only song that *almost* made me cry was the last one, about snorkeling.

73

Nice

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Added on: August 18, 2020