Open Mike Eagle and Kenny Segal's 'DOOMED!' is a hip-hop breakup masterpiece, an intimate and introspective album that showcases the perfect synergy between the rapper's personal storytelling and the producer's atmospheric beats. The album's opening interlude, 'It Happens in Every Universe', sets the tone for the entire record, acknowledging the universal struggle of breakups. This theme is further explored through Eagle's personal narratives, tinged with nostalgia and vulnerability.
Segal's production style is a standout feature, blending warbly piano samples, strings, detuned sax melodies, and psychedelic synths to create a unique sonic landscape. The album's opener, 'Out to Lunch', introduces a robotic tick to the hi-hats, setting a grounded yet eerie tone. 'Streets of Rage: Public Arguments Edition' showcases a groovy, lowkey funk with a confident bassline, reminiscent of Madlib's work, as Eagle narrates a tale of a heated argument with a significant other.
The collaboration between Eagle and Segal is a triumph, with the rapper's melodrama and attention to detail complementing the producer's woozy, forlorn beats. The Billy Woods-featuring track, 'She Swear I'm Colorblind', showcases the tension between the two artists, with Eagle's lyrics about blame and attention, and the backing track's use of windchimes and high-pitched whines creating a sense of foreboding.
'Unfinished Concrete Initials' is a particularly vulnerable moment on the album, with Eagle's raw emotions shining through. The track's lyrics delve into the complexities of memory and the pain of deletion, with a sense of secrecy and landmine-like memories. Despite the vulnerability, Eagle's sense of humor remains, as seen in 'Schrödinger's Green Room (There but Uninvited)', where he awkwardly proclaims his intrusive thoughts, complete with a DJ in his head.
The album's production is a masterful blend of atmospheric and grounded elements, with a sense of foreboding and nostalgia. Segal's beats provide a perfect backdrop for Eagle's storytelling, creating a cohesive and captivating listening experience. 'DOOMED!' is a testament to the power of collaboration, where the sum of the parts is greater than the whole, and a must-listen for fans of introspective hip-hop.
