Open Mike Eagle’s Component System With The Auto Reverse is his eighth album and he’s released it on his Auto Reverse Records. Diamond D produced the lead single “I’ll Fight You” and Madlib took over on “Circuit City.” The auto reverse reference fits the concept of a cassette tape vintage aesthetic as the auto reverse command is specific to that medium. In the ’90s Mike made mixtapes while hosting college rap radio shows and the music was erratic. The current album is inspired by those shows and also seeks to be an exhibition for his label. The music even has the hissing noise associated with cassettes and Mike’s raps are abstract verbalisms and autobiographical self-toasts. He goes on the road on October 21st for a fall tour that will end in the winter. 

Open Mike Eagle is releasing his new album Anime, Trauma and Divorce this Friday on his AutoReverse Records label. “Death Funeral” is from the album and Mike says the song is about cycles of trauma. Ben Clarkson directed an animated video for “Death Funeral” that demonstrates intergenerational pain. Open Mike Eagle’s last album was Brick Body Kids Still Daydream from 2017. Black Milk, Frank Leone and Gold Panda have production credits on Anime, Trauma and Divorce. Mike will live stream his performance at the celebration party also this Friday at 9 PM ET and there are pay what you want tickets available now. 

Open Mike Eagle has launched his Stony Island Audio podcast network with two new shows and the return of an old one. What Had Happened Was is a weekly podcast featuring Open Mike Eagle interviewing hip-hop producer legend Prince Paul about his 30-year career. Paul will share unheard stories about his days working with De La Soul, Queen Latifah, Chris Rock and more. The second show is the return of Open Mike Eagle’s Secret Skin podcast. The first season examined the way artists present themselves to the public and what they really feel behind the scenes. Hannibal Buress, Aesop Rock and more were some of the guests who appeared on season one. Blueprint’s Super Duty Tough Work is the third show to be added to the network. The rapper’s podcast focuses on self-development, hip-hop and humor. The first episode of What Had Happened Was is available now from Apple. 

Open Mike Eagle’s “The Edge Of New Clothes” is a new single that will be featured on The Needle Drop compilation album. Mike’s stream-of-consciousness rap about his experiences using mushrooms and marijuana is trippy and all about feeling in the moment. Anthony Fantano is the curator of the compilation and the proceeds will go to The Immigrant Legal Resource non-profit. Mike just finished a season of the Comedy Central show The New Negroes that featured such musical guests as Lizzo, Method  Man and MF Doom. On October 19th he will go on a short tour of the Midwest and The Needle Drop comes out October 25th.