L.A. emcee Open Mike Eagle is not one to let his fans sit long without new music. Just a few months after his last EP, he’s come back with one more to tide us over until his new album comes out later this year on Fake Four. While the last EP used a remix of the song “Nightmares” as a stepping off point, this one uses “Rent Party Revolution” to get things rolling. It feels even more inspired, and is one of the best filler releases you’ll come across.

What I appreciate most about this EP is that Open Mike Eagle used the opportunity to work with some lesser known artists and give them some shine. The EP opens with “5ree Thinkers,” produced by Hot Sugar, a New York beat maker who is building steam. The track is a really interesting down tempo number with an unusual mix of synthesized and organic melodies and drums. This all sets up Eagle to deliver some of the most low-key boasting you’ll hear on a hip hop track, as he gives shout outs to Project Blowed, Hellfyre Club, and Swim Team in the chorus. The track “Boss Fight” brings Eagle together with up-and-coming Wisconsin emcee Milo, who admittedly learned much from Open Mike Eagle as he developed his own style. The track shows how much Milo has grown in the short time from dropping his debut mixtape last fall, as he more than handles himself alongside his mentor as they trade verses built on video game references. If both emcees have a strength, it’s their ability to own their nerdiness in a manner that connects their experiences to a much larger audience. Their chemistry is great, and I’m sure this is just the beginning with these two. My only complaint would be the lack of hook to sing along to, but regardless, I find the track growing on me with each listen. My favorite track on the EP is “Amped,” featuring Eagle Nebula. Produced by Alpha MC, it rocks a midtempo groove that really makes you bob your head, and it features a fantastic hook to the song, as each emcee discusses different things that get them amped, whether it be tickets to see They Might Be Giants or catching a booger before anyone else notices. Eagle Nebula completely steals the show, with a confident and charismatic delivery that had me rushing to learn more about her. On top of all of this is the remix of “Rent Party Revolution” by Taco Neck, which is a song that is so relatable for me that it fluctuates between being a bit painful and extremely comforting. Taco Neck helps give the song a gentle warmth, giving the song a sense of hope. I’m sure that one day both Eagle and myself will no longer have to worry about having high IQs and low credit scores, but until then his music will provide solace.

For a short EP that’s filler, at least on paper, Rent Party Extension is surprisingly fresh and interesting. I find myself coming back to it often, and even though there’s only four new songs and one remix. It just speaks to high level that Eagle is working on right now that a simple release like this EP would evolve into something stronger than most artists’ full length albums. I was already excited for the new album, but now I’m amped.