Open Mike Eagle and Other Highlights From This Week's Must-Hear Playlist

On one of the year's best hip-hop records, and a playlist full of electronic gems from 2022.

Programming note: I’m heading out of town for a much-needed long weekend, so there isn’t a Friday newsletter this week. See you Tuesday!

This week’s Songs You Need to Hear Now playlist is once again full of fresh tunes and some of my favorites from 2022. Let’s break down some of them.

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Open Mike Eagle - “CD Only Bonus Track (feat. Aesop Rock & Diamond D)” from Component System with Auto Reverse

Chicago’s Open Mike Eagle hasn’t released a bad album yet, but it was 2020’s Anime, Trauma, and Divorce that really reached out and grabbed me towards the end of a challenging year. Out of all of the pandemic records we’ve heard over the past two years, Eagle’s self-deprecating humor hit a sweet spot for me as he explored a crumbling marriage, anxiety, and the self-care to cope with the times. I loved it so much that Anima, Trauma, and Divorce ended up at number eight of my favorite records in an incredibly stacked year.

This year, Open Mike Eagle is in a different place, now also a podcast host on What Happened Was, where Eagle interviews hip-hop legends about their careers in long form. The podcast influences his new album, Component System with Auto Reverse, which is full of 90s hip-hop references and is a play on revisiting the mixtape format of yore. The self-deprecating humor is still present, with “I Retired Then I Changed My Mind” being a required highlight (“‘What the fuck is Art Rap?’ in every damn interview” and “I pop then the jewels flew, I wear gold chains and can’t jump like I used to, I’m one man climate change, the sea levels plummet, Photos of the show drop and I got a big stomach”). Overall, Eagle plays things a bit more breezy and brings along a top list of hip-hop artists for features, with Video Dave and STILL RIFT elevating “Circuit City.” At the same time, Billy Woods and Eulucid continue their hot streak as Armand Hammer on “Burner Account.” Trying to pick one song from this record is a beast of a task, but I include “CD Bonus Track” because it personifies the project. Plus, I’m always here for Aesop Rock.

Speaking of component systems, Open Mike Eagle has me thinking back to mine in the late 90s, a totally unnecessary Sony 51 (!) disc changer, complete with tape deck and radio. I mean, look at how ridiculous these were! Yet, I kinda miss it now. If you had something similar, let me know about it in the comments!

Rustbelt - “When I’m Feelin’ Manic” from Rustbelt EP

Juiceboxxx, once undeservedly known as the “Worst Rapper Ever,” has always been a divisive MC for the few who knew about him. Consider me in the “huge fan” camp - his debut, I Don’t Wanna Go Into the Darkness is a top to bottom stone cold classic, often flirting with early Beastie Boys vibes, like on “Like a Renegade.” Four solid albums are apparently enough for the Milwaukee rapper, who rebrands here as Rustbelt. His new four-track EP completely tosses hip-hop aside in favor of mid-90s alternative tunes. I’m still getting used to this change in sound, but there’s no denying that tracks like “When I’m Feelin’ Manic” are every bit as catchy as the Juiceboxxx years.

Zivi - “Way Out” from Lost in Love

Let’s get local with it. Here’s a chilled-out new single from a friend of the newsletter, Zivi. Most of this song is built around guitar and Rhodes interplay during its massive midpoint, and I’m all in. Zivi’s full-length record Lost in Love is on its way soon, and having heard it, we’re in store for one heckuva debut album. For those that want more, give “Midnight Train” a listen.

Laura Veirs - “Seaside Haiku” from Found Light

Cooler weather and an upcoming trip to the Northwest have me revisiting Portland legend Laura Veirs’ album from earlier this year, and this crunchy standout is hitting the spot again.

Read my review of Found Light here.

Confidence Man - “Holiday” from TILT

If you somehow missed TILT, the retro dancefloor-filling record from Confidence Man, you’re in for a real treat. In my last look at this must-hear record, I said: “If Confidence Man actually released TILT in the 90s, I would be giving my younger sister shit for listening to it while spinning Bush’s Razorblade Suitcase again. Dreadful.”

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You asked, and we have them: introducing the logo tee from Mama Mañana Records! Available in Desert Sunset Tie-Dye or White Sands Plain, we want to pay tribute to this beautiful state we call home. Professionally printed on Gildan Heavy Cotton t’s (thanks, Shirtpop!) with commercial dyes used for the tie-dye variant, these are built to last. For an extremely limited run, grab yours today on Bandcamp, DM, or text me, and we’ll have it to your front door in no time. If you’ve already ordered, the first batch went out in the mail yesterday.

Available on Bandcamp here!

I also want to thank Lost Padre Records in Santa Fe for carrying MMR releases. It’s a dream come true to sell something in a record store and stop in and say ‘hi’ if you’re in town (and check out the dope custom stand built by Jared)! We’ll have Mareas de Oro, the new EP from Gold Tides out next Friday, and you don’t want to miss it!