Music

Open Mike Eagle’s Absurd ‘Headass (Idiot Shinji)’ Video Explains How Black People Talk

With help from Jak Knight and Video Dave, Open Mike breaks down how overthinking makes headasses of us all. …

In the new video for “Headass (Idiot Shinji)” from his album Anime, Trauma, And Divorce, Open Mike Eagle recruits comedian Jak Knight (who’s crafted a niche lane for himself as rap’s go-to cameo comic) to break down the meaning behind the slang term in a segment titled “How Black People Talk.” After a fed-up Professor Jak reaches his limit of explaining the phrase — which doesn’t take long — he pops in a VHS (ah, nostalgia) of the actual music video and lets Mike and Video Dave do the talking.

Because Open Mike Eagle has such an absurdist streak, he naturally appears as a person with a literal gluteus maximus on his cranium to lead a “headass support group.” Lyrically, Mike and Dave recount some of their headass, over-analyzing moments from past relationships and their anxieties about their rap careers.

If I can be headass for a moment here, I feel like I need to explain where the “Idiot Shinji” portion of the song’s title comes from for those readers not well-versed in the first item from Mike’s album title. In the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, which is about (among other things) a lot of trauma and the ways people deal with it (or refuse to), the lead character, teenaged robot pilot Shinji Ikari, is nicknamed “Idiot Shinji” by his fellow teenaged robot pilot Asuka Langley due to his tendency to overthink pretty much every situation he finds himself in — including the life-or-death ones they frequently encounter as the pilots of giant robots.

So, it all ties together with the theme of anime and trauma and general headassery, which is something Open Mike Eagle is very good at doing on his new album Anime, Trauma, And Divorce. The album’s out now on Mike’s own Auto Reverse Records and you can listen to it here. You can also watch the classic anime Neon Genesis Evangelion on Netflix, but unless you too would like to be traumatized, I don’t recommend it.

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Artist Spotlight

Alwyn Morrison explores betrayal, judgment, and survival on new EP “Trial”

Life isn’t always a straight line, and Alwyn Morrison explores that in “Trial,” a four-track EP that goes beyond the familiar territory of love and heartbreak. The project blends pop, rock, and singer-songwriter influences, exploring themes of betrayal, false accusations, emotional pain, self-defense, and survival. Each track is inspired by courtrooms and is a step in a personal journey of understanding, acceptance, and ultimately freedom.

The first track, “Puzzle Piece,” is Morrison’s raw, heavy alternative rock sound, fitting the weight of betrayal and false accusations. The song has a sense of tension, putting you in the shoes of someone trying to understand a difficult situation. Followed by “Everybody Bleeds,” which follows that emotional path, creating a song about confusion, openness, and the struggles we all face, and it’s an emotional listen, with hard truths and personal experiences laid bare.

Alwyn Morrison

The project’s focus track, “Monster,” goes into more personal territory. It explores what happens when we are judged or condemned for the choices we make, and it carries a message that goes far beyond Morrison’s own experience. The central theme will strike a chord with anyone who has felt misunderstood, unfairly labeled, or defined by others’ opinions.

Alwyn Morrison

The EP closes with “Fireflies,” a track that shifts the mood, contrasting childhood innocence and memories with the realities of adult life. The sequence moves the story toward resilience, survival, and earned acceptance. Alwyn Morrison spins a musical tale of hard life experiences put to the test. The courtroom concept gives the four songs real purpose to move on without letting past experience dictate the future.

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Artist Spotlight

Fanny Alexandra explores emotional recovery and self-discovery on “Ceasefire”

Not every fight ends a relationship, and there could be long-term emotional damage, with questions about identity, attachment, and the difficult path to moving on. “Ceasefire” is a ghostly alternative rock ballad in which Fanny Alexandra navigates difficult terrain, exploring emotional dependency and the search for selfhood after a toxic relationship.

“Ceasefire” is full of sad melodies and hints of atmospheric rock, making it a dark, cinematic listen. The song’s alt-rock pivot provides an emotionally charged foundation, and it’s about the internal battle, especially when your identity has been so tied to another person.

Fanny Alexandra’s ethereal vocal approach suits the song, lending real emotional weight to the exploration of self-loss and internal tension. “Ceasefire” is a reflective track, with atmospheric instrumentation and deeply personal songwriting that capture feelings that can linger long after a tough chapter closes.

It’s about finding yourself again, and its emotional arc moves from openness and dependence to the hard-earned discovery that personal freedom is more than just walking away. Fanny Alexandra’s love for dark, emotional alternative music inspired “Ceasefire.” Her art is about intimate storytelling, cinematic atmosphere, and making music that explores the quieter struggles people tend to keep inside. In this record, she turns the fallout from a toxic relationship into a meditative reflection on the long road to selfhood.

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