Open Mike Eagle – “Raps For When It’s Just You And The Abyss” (Stereogum Premiere)

Open Mike Eagle – “Raps For When It’s Just You And The Abyss” (Stereogum Premiere)

Los Angeles rapper Open Mike Eagle is about to release a new EP called A Special Episode Of, and today he’s offering an enticing preview in the form of “Raps For When It’s Just You And The Abyss.” Against bleary production by Lo-Phi that feels like a slow-motion dream, Mike spits cerebral yet relatable rhymes that reference everything from Neil Young to the local media (“Was pretty geeked about my LA Weekly feature/ I showed it to my dad, my barber, and my piano teacher”). There’s also a lot of insightful reflection along the lines of “Make films, play ball, write, or even cook crack/ My famous homies picked the right shit to get good at.” But what first caught my ear was the chorus, which interpolates Broken Social Scene’s tender ballad “Anthems For A Seventeen Year Old Girl.” The effect is surreal and satisfying. Hear it below.

A Special Episode Of is out 2/3 on Mello Music Group. Pre-order it here.

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