Audiopile Review: Mike has been a prolific and consistent voice in the abstract hip-hop scene for several years. Adding to what is already a celebrated catalog among both fans and critics, with releases like War In My Pen and May God Bless Your Hustle, it’s hard not to see “Burning Desire” as a new peak in Mike’s career—a culmination steadily built upon by all of his previous work. Soulful samples, groove-heavy drums, vapourwave-y detours, and hazy jazz beats coalesce to form the vibrant and colourful production that accompanies Mike’s self-assured, typically monotone delivery. While this album will likely appeal to fans of Navy Blue, Earl Sweatshirt, and Billy Woods, there is an endearing sense of genuine authenticity in Mike’s work that helps him stand out among his peers—a quality more obvious than ever on “Burning Desire. Easily one of the best hip-hop releases of 2023; heads don’t sleep!

Burning Desire is the ninth studio album by MIKE, released via his own 10k label. The expansive new record has guest features from Earl Sweatshirt, Larry June, Liv.e, Venna, Lila Ramani (from Crumb), El Cousteau, Niontay, mark william lewis, Klein, and TAKA. A dark romantic horror with comedic twists. It tells the tale of a fire deeply rooted in revenge and devastation, masked with an intricate beauty.

Almost entirely self-produced under MIKE’s dj blackpower alias, and follows Faith is A Rock, his collaborative album with The Alchemist and Wiki. Burning Desire is one of MIKE’s most considered projects to date, and incorporates live instrumentation for the first time, adding more depth and rich musicality to his universe. The album was aptly described by Pitchfork as “self-assured and clear-eyed, ushering in an ambitious new era for the hometown hero.”