Anime, Trauma and Divorce
Anime, Trauma and Divorce is the fifth solo studio album by American rapper Open Mike Eagle. It was released on October 16, 2020 through Auto Reverse Records. Production was handled by Caleb Stone, Frank Leone, Loden, Black Milk, Gold Panda and Nedarb, with Jacknife Lee and Open Mike Eagle serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Lil A$e, Kari Faux and Video Dave. Accompaying music video for the album's lead single, "Bucciarati", was directed by Demi Adejuyigbe starring Paul F. Tompkins and Jordan Katz. Critical reception. "Anime Trauma + Divorce" was met  with widespread acclaim from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 82 based on six reviews. The aggregator AnyDecentMusic? has the critical consensus of the album at a 8.2 out of 10, based on six reviews. Robert Kazandjian of "Clash" praised the album calling it "remarkable" added "12-track project explores the collapse of a marriage, financial turmoil, anxiety, self-doubt and self-care. A lesser rapper might sink in the mire, but Open Mike has always been dope on the mic, and "Anime , Trauma and Divorce" find him at his best". Tim Sentz of "Beats Per Minute" stated, ""Anime, Trauma and Divorc"e is a self-help rap record that manages to be heart-breaking and humorous at the same time, and never takes its audience for granted, which is a rare find in any medium". Emma Swann of "DIY" said, ""Anime, Trauma and Divorce" is as wry as documents of desperate times get. Life may have given Open Mike Eagle some fresh citrus fruit, but this resulting record is some sweet, sweet lemonade". Liam Inscoe-Jones of "The Line of Best Fit" wrote , "If this sounds heavy then the album’s crowning achievement is that it often doesn’t feel that way, buoyed by percussive production from Black Milk, Gold Panda, Frank Leone and others, and Mike’s dark humour". Skye Butchard of "Loud and Quiet" resumed that "this record will earn the cultish acclaim coming its way". Matthew Ismael Ruiz of "Pitchfork" said, "he made an album as bleak—and funny—as anything he’s ever done, digging deep into his sense of self with the same sardonic wit that made his breakout LP "Dark Comedy" so impressive. It helps that he ’s not entirely alone". AllMusic's Paul Simpson said, "The album's numerous anime references will be lost on listeners who don't follow the art form, but nearly anyone can relate to his confusion, weariness, and desire to set things back on the right path". Similarly, Robert Christgau said that "anime fans will understand the lyrical details better than I can", but applauded the rapper for finally turning "confessional" and "the atmospheric beats of Nedarb" for ultimately making the album a success.