After chronicling “the worst year of his life” with his 2020 album Anime, Trauma & Divorce, Open Mike Eagle has returned with its follow-up Component System with the Auto Reverse.

“When I was in high school I used to stay up late to tape the hip hop shows on college radio station WHPK on the south side of Chicago,” Mike explains. it was the only way to hear the underground rap songs that changed my world. I still have many of the cassettes, with songs by giants like MF DOOM, DITC, Outsidaz, All Natural, Juggaknots, Organized Konfusion and more.

“I named each tape. I named one Component System,” he continues. “This album was made in the spirit of that tape but with new music from me. Some of the people on the original tape appear on this album, I’m so proud of that that it brings me close to tears.”

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