Sunday 14 February 2021

Special: First Listen Thoughts: Weezer "OK Human", The Dirty Nil "Fuck Art", We The Kings "Saga EP"

Weezer - OK Human

Label: Atlantic Records

Press release: Weezer’s 14th studio album OK Human is due out on January 29, with a lead single entitled All My Favorite Songs arriving this Thursday (January 21). ​“Hold on to your hard drives,” Rivers Cuomo and co. announced on social media. ​“OK Human, the new album, arrives 1/29.

My thoughts: I was really looking forward to Van Weezer set for release in May (the band states that's still happening). OK Human ditches the guitars for synths, piano and orchestral arrangements which is just not all that strong but I get why they felt the need after likely going guitar heavy on Van Weezer. The album is an overall meh for me with a few highlights (Grapes Of Wrath, Dead Roses). Weezer returns to the dark imagery and tone they explored on the superb album Pinkerton back in the mid 90's but without the aggressive instrumentation it's hard for me personally to enjoy it front to back. 

The Dirty Nil - Fuck Art

Label: Dine Alone Records

Press release: The Dirty Nil, the amp-blowing, JUNO Award-winning trio have embraced, torn down, and then reinvented the quintessential rock ‘n’ roll star archetype for years. Now the band has announced the title of their hotly anticipated new album, Fuck Art, set for release later this year via Dine Alone Records. The Dirty Nil’s third LP is an unabashed concoction of classic-rock heroism, pop-punk horsepower, ’80s indie scrappiness, ’90s alterna-crunch, and speed-metal adrenaline.

My thoughts: The Dirty Nil's combination of all things punk makes for a hell of a ride. Fuck Art released on New Years Day kicked off the new year with a bang and is a very early contender for album of the year. Possession and Doom boy are the highlights once through but the whole album deserves your attention.

We The Kings - Saga EP

Label: S-Curve Records

Press release: For a majority of 2020 while We The Kings were at home, the band carefully put the final touches on ‘SAGA’ and dropped new singles from the EP, giving listeners a taste of what to expect. Fans, old and new, have been thrilled to hear a familiar sound that the band has been known for while delivering an exciting, bold mix of pop songs that include acoustic, electric guitar and electronic instrumentation. Songwriting has always been at the forefront of We The Kings as a collective as they aim to bring listeners and fans even closer together with their most thought-provoking music to date.

My thoughts: We The Kings don't really do anything to surprise anyone anymore. You know you're gonna get a series of pop-rock songs with some synths mixed in for good measure. They did go heavier on the synths with this EP (but really who isn't?) I liked most of the songs on this EP upon first listen but I feel like the tracks will likely be forgotten as more releases come out in 2021.

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