Frenetic Relaxation

Open Mike Eagle and relaxation are two terms that sound very compatible based on a lot of his production. His tendency to latch onto over-arching synthesizers and sub-bases make for some encompassing and atmospheric beats. While these beats are easy to get lost in, they’re just one component to Open Mike Eagle’s work. On top of these meditative canvases, Open Mike Eagle raps about anything from his relationship with politics to his struggles with anxiety. His dark, yet comedic approach to lyricism makes for very layered and interesting songs. Mike is able to create an internal tug-of-war in the listeners head between both the beauty and negativity of apathy. On his latest album, it became increasingly clear that the apathy and hopeless humor Mike often displays in his music is merely a writing mechanism.

This was clear when looking beyond the surface level on his prior projects, but Brick Body Kids Still Daydream showed his identity to the general public. His aggressive, yet on-brand critique of Chicago’s takedown of the Robert Taylor homes more than proved that Mike speaks for the people. On What Happens When I Try to Relax, Mike sees a bit of a return to form. Hilarious pop culture references and zany deliveries are intertwined with tales of social anxiety, bad dating habits and struggling with self-esteem. The result is a project that oozes both enjoyability and replay value.

“Relatable (Peak OME)” is perhaps the perfect Open Mike Eagle song. On the surface level, it seems as if Mike is merely trying to cling onto popular habits and popular tropes. His repetition of the word “relatable” almost seems like he is trying to force feed the listener his character. With close analysis, however, it becomes apparent that Mike is showing what we accept as normal as a culture. We often hold ourselves to such high standards, but we are all having our little hang-ups and conflicts in our heads. As the song progresses, Mike’s delivery grows in intensity and ultimately his insecurities become clear. The argument made in this track is that we are all deeply flawed and human. Pretending to be something that you aren’t ultimately takes away what is special about you. Mike appears aware that many of the same traits he has critiqued in his character have made him the person he is today. He would not be the same successful guy without all these complications. This track feels like a monumental track in Mike’s catalog and without a doubt the most essential song on this project.

With the mystique of the opener behind us, it will be much easier to understand this project as a whole. Instead of cashing in and making a simple, brainless song about relatability, Mike took a deeper approach which is the only road he knows. The rest of this project definitely follows the up and down mood of “Relatable.” On “Single Ghosts” and “Southside Eagle,” Mike owns his character. On the former, Mike exposes one-way relationships by calling detached people ghosts. These people who may have things a bit more together are often harder to communicate with. This comfortability Mike shows in this song only proves why he made the right choice sticking to his true colors.

This attitude is only reaffirmed on “Southside Eagle.” Mike proves why being an independent rapper with anxiety issues is more fulfilling than one could possibly know. Mike paints himself as a true hustler on this track, similar to a member of the legendary 1993 Chicago Bulls. These songs wouldn’t exist without the moments of growth in tracks like “Every Single Thing” and “Microfiche.” Both tracks deal with being overwhelmed by the speed of life, but the latter track feels like a true learning experience. The refrain of “Just shut your eyes / It can all go away” is a very important moment on this tight project. It shows that in times of mental turmoil, sometimes it is just important to let go a little bit. The soothing beat helps Mike really nail this point down on this track. The rest of the EP, including the aforementioned “Single Ghosts” and “Southside Eagle,” display a complete and confident individual. This transformation ultimately displays that we are all more than meets the eye. We all struggle sometimes, but we are capable of great things, as proven by Mike.

Overall, What Happens When I Try To Relax is essential to Open Mike Eagle’s catalog. The vulnerability and strength he displays on a project as short as this is astounding. If someone has never listened to Open Mike Eagle before, this project would be a pretty perfect indication of who is as both a person and a rapper.