AJR, OK ORCHESTRA | Album Review 💿

AJR deliver some intriguing moments on their fourth album, OK ORCHESTRA, but dwell too much on matters of millennial this round.

Ask yourself this question: Do you think that alt-pop bro trio 🎙 AJR drew it up to where they’d be considered polarizing? My guess is probably not, but over the years, many music critics have been, well, quite critical.  Why? Well, the primary reasons are that much of their music focuses on millennial matters in novel fashion and the productions are often robust, gimmicky, and outlandish. A dose of that in moderation is fine – more for fans and ‘Stans’ allotted, of course.  But an album’s worth can be, um… a lot.  On their fourth album, 💿 OK ORCHESTRA, the Met brothers have some enjoyable, intriguing moments and plenty of creative musical ideas, but sometimes the hipster millennial alt pop script is way overdone. 

“OK Overture”

🎵 “OK Overture” begins introducing the instruments and specific features of the song – you have to hear it to fully understand. Regardless, it’s a very unique way to commence the album – very AJR. If nothing else “OK Overture” is ambitious and all over the place. Sort of like an orchestral overture from a Broadway musical, it features parts of songs featured on the album, which is captivating.

“My friends always pay for my drinks
I can’t afford no nice things
But I hope my bank account gets so low
Even zero
So next year
When I buy that first beer
I’ll be a goddamn hero.”

Advance single ✅ 🎵 “Bummerland” ” features big, sleek production work courtesy of Ryan Met, perhaps its most redeeming quality. The falsetto is pretty sweet – definitely ripe.  At just three minutes and change, it’s of optimal length.  In the context of OK ORCHESTRA, it’s one of the best songs. That said, those who have issues with AJR will cry foul about the millennial songwriting, corny, tongue-in-cheek lyrics, and perhaps over ornate production.

“3 O’Clock Things”

🎵 “3 O’Clock Things” begins abruptly without an instrumental introduction.  Like so many AJR cuts, a great groove is an expectation. The cabaret-infused production stands out.  Of course, millennial vibes continue to be in play with The Met bros exploring those tortured post-college years reminiscing on the things they once did, etc. As a millennial, these experiences do speak to me, though perhaps this shtick is becoming played out.  Nonetheless, there are some ear-catching lines and I love the novel ending sound-wise.  

“I just really, really, really, really wanna show you my play
And I don’t wanna do it for Dad at Dad’s new place.” 

🎵 “My Play”, the third advance single from OK ORCHESTRA, finds the Mets reflecting on simpler times. Exhibit A, excerpted from the first verse: “I put on a play in my old house / in my cape, jumpin’ on the old couch…” Later, on the third verse, there’s reminiscence regarding dates, before the fourth confirms the big point – “Guess everything [life] is complicated [now].” Moving beyond the songwriting, the production is lush (strings 🎻 are sweet) and B-I-G. On the gargantuan chorus, the drums are particularly heavy handed. Ultimately, the songwriting is cringy and flimsy to a degree – it’s corny by my estimations – though some will like it.

“Joe”

🎵 “Joe” begins with some impressive piano lines, flaunting ambitious production work. There are some lovely melody lines in this song, purportedly addressed to someone in Ryan’s life when he was younger.  Fans won’t mind the busy melodic lines, groove, and the ornate details that the band throws at you. If you prefer more space in your music, then you’ll have issues with “Joe” – perhaps consider it ‘overblown.’ If nothing else, the ideas are definitely creative and shouldn’t go unacknowledged.

🎵 “Adventure is Out There” commences with a rather corny tongue and cheek lyric: “I keep losing my socks / Where the hell did they go?” Jesus! For good measure, the socks return – well – technically, “I keep losing my socks / I got nothing to wear.” Ugh! What we have here is a big-time, double down on millennial spirit, sigh. As always, we get a recognizable groove, which is a pro. Compared to some of the songs that grace the album, “Adventure is Out There” has more of a folksy quality, which provides contrast.

“Bang!”

“Been a hell of a ride, but I’m thinking it’s time to grow…” ✅ 🎵 “Bang!” , an early promo single, is pretty explosive and remains the song to beat. The chorus is quite infectious, backed once more by dynamic production work.  “So put your best face on, everybody / Pretend you know this song, everybody,” Jack sings, continuing, “Come hang, let’s go out with a bang! / Bang! Bang! Bang!” Yes, the ‘millennial’ angle is still in full effect, but it doesn’t feel quite as obnoxious compared to other tunes on OK Orchestra.  Perhaps it’s because “Bang!” arrived well before the rest of the album.

“I got a dog, and my dog can dance / Just not in public and not with my friends.” As silly as that sounds (and it does), AJR do have a message on 🎵 “The Trick.” Basically, don’t reveal to others, particularly those you want to impress, what isn’t ideal.  That’s respectable, though you have to dig through schmaltz to get there.  Give the boys credit for a continually ear catching aesthetic, particularly the strings.  Also, the chorus is pretty sweet, led by beautiful vocals.

“Ordinaryish People” 

OK ORCHESTRA plays on with 🎵 ✅ “Ordinaryish People,” which features an unlikely guest, 🎙 Blue Man Group.  The title shows the cards, at least to an extent; you already know what you’re going to get. “So goodbye, ordinary-ish people / We had quite the run, didn’t we,” Met sings on the chorus, continuing, “But you gotta be somebody some time / I don’t wanna pack up and leave, though / When you’re nobody, then nobody minds.” More interesting is the sound of the record, which is quite picturesque with some cool production cues.  I particularly heart the gimmickry at the end of this song.

“Humpty Dumpty, when Humpty Dumpty / When Humpty Dumpty went down…” O…K… ORCHESTRA! The name 🎵 “Humpty Dumpty,” certainly doesn’t suggest a truly serious, transcendent listening experience. It’s a novel cut, but AJR manages to adapt elements of the nursery rhymes, um, ‘cutely’ I suppose.  Even if the songwriting is sketchy at times, there are some selling points, including falsetto, the fullness of the sound on the chorus, and once again, some of the production cues.

“World’s Smallest Violin”

Give AJR credit for being self-aware of the bigger problems that lie in the world on 🎵 “World’s Smallest Violin.” Of course, there’s violin 🎻 on the track 😏. The record is a unique mix of cabaret and folk, with the results being, well, novel. The pre-chorus is catchy to say the least, with facts being spit on the line, “Next to them, my shit don’t feel so grand.” ‘Course, he goes on to say “But I can’t help myself from feeling bad…” So millennial! If nothing else, world’s smallest violin is definitely a discussion piece, though the cartoonish sound arguably ‘gets in the way.’

“I should move ‘cause New York is gettin’ muddy out
There’s L.A. but it’s always kinda sunny out
And I don’t wanna hurt no more
So, I set my bar real low.”

✅ 🎵 “Way Less Sad”, the penultimate track and fourth advance single, marks the top tier of OK ORCHESTRA.  Among the pros of the record is the rhythmic identity established at the onset via the instrumental intro (specifically via left hand piano).  Production continues to be the story of the album, including thoughtful instrumental riffs work well and an effective 🎙 Simon & Garfunkel sample (🎵 “My Little Town”). Beyond matters of the boards, we get nice lead vocals by Jack.  His tone is great, and ultimately, easy on the ears. The one con? Thematically, AJR don’t shy away from their comfort zone – more of the same.  Closer 🎵 “Christmas in June” opens with dramatic tape strings – this is OK ORCHESTRA after all! Soon enough, “Christmas in June” settles in, bringing in the clarinet and another notable groove.  Like the majority of the album, there are plenty of instruments and lines.  Again, we get reminiscence from the past, which is fine, as well as some nice melodic moments, which is even better.

Final Thoughts 💭

So, what does one make of OK ORCHESTRA? AJR deliver some intriguing moments by all means.  I definitely appreciate how they dip in a variety of genres – it’s really cool and eclectic.  That said, sometimes they dip too far and definitely overplay their hand when it comes to matters of millennial this round.  The tongue in cheek is often too tongue in cheek and ridiculous, for example. For me, these brothers definitely bring a lot to the indie pop table.  The key is moderation – a few less beers 🍻 as opposed to consuming all of the six pack 🍻, haha. 

✅ Gems 💎: “Bummerland,” Bang!”, “Ordinaryish People,” & “Way Less Sad”

🎙 AJR • 💿 OK ORCHESTRA • 🏷 BMG Rights Management • 🗓 3.26.21

[📷: BMG Rights Management]