Pinball II”>
MIKE and Tony Seltzer. Photo by Sugar M. Sylla
Rap fans everywhere should be thankful that MIKE decided to link with Tony Seltzer. Whether the New York City was consciously trying to avoid being pigeonholed as a cerebral lo-fi artist or just wanted to make some bangers, the results are consistently excellent. Their first full-length collaboration Pinball, released in 2024, showed how the duo gracefully danced with the devil of accessibility, taking the lead every time and on their own terms.
Pinball II, released today, moves even further outside of the realm of headphone music. This is a suite of 17 tracks that will send you to an irrationally flexy place. Still take the bus? “Money & Power” will have you browsing the internet for trunk subwoofers and planning a trip down the PCH. Who cares if you weren’t around for the golden era of Atlanta trap? “Sin City” makes you feel as cold and untouchable as Jeezy’s Snowman. Crucially, MIKE is still bearing his soul throughout the album, wearing the scars of his arrest in Japan and dealing with the pressure that comes with being an underground superstar. Behind every gold-toothed grin on Pinball II, there’s a real, human smile, flaws and all.
