Review Summary: Mike, you da motherfucking man...
It was actually quite fitting that Open Mike Eagle’s last release was named
Dark Comedy as it seems that the man approaches making his music much like a comedian would approach making a set. A large part of not only that album but of
Hella Personal Film Festival’s songs are observational in nature, frequently centering around innocuous themes like road trips, the coolness of the internet, checking your cell phone, things comedians would riff on. In addition to this novel presentation, what distinguishes Open Mike Eagle from his ilk is the supreme relatability of his music. For most people it’s easier to connect with songs about the mundane quirks of life than it is about gang violence or what to do with copious amounts of money and
Hella Personal Film Festival contains much of Eagle’s trademark content in that regard. Where
Hella Personal Film Festival undoubtedly shines is in how hella personal it actually is. Open Mike Eagle projects his perspectives effortlessly as he calmly breaks down his experiences with different aspects of society from racism, hopeless reliance on technology, and different anxieties life gives him.
Unfortunately, the musical innovation lags behind in comparison to the newfound depth the lyrics offer in
Hella Personal Film Festival. Producer Paul White displays an impressive amount of diversity in his production particularly in “Protectors of the Heat” which gives off a strangely nu-African vibe to compliment the quirky (a pervading theme) chorus and lyrics and does so quite well. The problem is there are no high moments, no bombast or climaxes on which to really engage the listener, just samples being rapped over. Strangely, Open Mike Eagle’s style is as much to blame for this as his aforementioned calm demeanor throughout the record exudes an aura both simultaneously deeply personal and glibly disingenuous. As the man himself says in “Leave People Alone”:
I used to write dumb raps about pen spits
And now I write about dumb experiences
But they're very rarely the ones I have
They're usually some other people's or they're just completely imaginary
This sentiment is echoed throughout
Hella Personal Film Festival simply by the lack of emotion Open Mike Eagle displays while rapping about these subjects. Both his flows and tone of voice exhibit little variety, and an air of sarcasm lingers over many songs, undercutting the message for the sake for not sounding too serious. Songs like “Insecurity, Part 2 (The Moor the Marry Her)" and “Drunk Dreaming” buck this trend and wind up being highlights as a result.
However, it’d be crazy to say anything is ruined by these drawbacks.
Hella Personal Film Festival is a unique perspective in the rap scene from a contemporary voice willing to give voice to the little insecurities present in people. The collaboration with Paul White gives
Hella Personal Film Festival an old-school vibe, and the diversity in the music vitalizes the record while never taking focus away from the different and poignant messages Open Mike Eagle has for us. And that’s what
Hella Personal Film Festival is, a message to listeners that those nagging thoughts inside you about society and people? You’re not the only one.
