OK 👌 | 5ive Songs

1. Kanye West, “Ok Ok”

Ft. Fivio Foreign, Lil Yachty & Rooga

💿 Donda • 🏷 Def Jam • 📅 2021

“Okay, now they got me, wanna rap again.” That’s positive, 🎙 Kanye West! “You wanna come in and play with the G.O.A.T. (God Body) /…Price went up, angel investor.” 🎵 “Ok Ok” appears as the eighth track on 💿 Donda, his 10^th studio album.  Donda is named after his late mother and had an incredibly messy rollout.  Ultimately, the 27-track, nearly two-hour-long LP has its fair share of rewarding moments, including the song at hand. In the context of Donda, West brings back 🎙 Fivio Foreign, and adds 🎙 Rooga, and 🎙 Lil Yachty.

Foreign’s role is small, providing ad-libs on West’s verse.  As for Yachty and Rooga, they have full verses. The production work is gripping, set in a minor key against a hard-hitting trap beat.  After having mixed feelings on Yachty for years (💿 Teenage Emotions was abysmal) but his flow/vibe is successful here. Rooga, who brings the heat on the third verse (“Most of these **** ain’t real, they don’t wanna see me winnin’, no”), stays on for 🎵 “Ok Ok, Pt. 2,” the 25^th track, while 🎙 Shenseea replaces Yachty, performing in Jamaican Patois.  

2. Marshmello & Demi Lovato, “OK Not to Be OK”

🎵 “OK Not to Be OK” • 🏷 Joytime Collective • 📅 2020

DJ 🎙 Marshmello collaborates with 🏆 Grammy-nominated pop singer 🎙 Demi Lovato on 🎵 “OK Not to Be OK”. The brief number features a fantastic opening with an enigmatic, almost somber synth. The sound isn’t dark, but sort of reflective in tone. Beyond the opening and first verse, the production is bright by Marshmello, with strong results. Of course, it is those fine, compelling vocals by Lovato that sell “OK Not to Be OK.” Those vocals are perfectly suited given the theme of this song.

“When you’re high on emotion
And you’re losing your focus
And you feel too exhausted to pray
Don’t get lost in the moment
Or give up when you’re closest
All you need is somebody to say
It’s okay not to be okay...”

As always, Lovato sounds expressive and nuanced. There’s excellent use of vocal layering, whether its backing vocals, soulful ad-libs, or etc. Furthermore, there are some tasteful electro-pop vocals effects during the pre-chorus that don’t take away from Lovato.  Both the pre-chorus and chorus are epic, latching the first time you hear them.  Also, on Marshmello’s end, I must compliment the use of the rhythmic guitar during the chorus/drop. Ultimately, there’s lots to like about “OK Not to Be OK,” including the messaging.  We try to achieve perfection, and we often fall short and beat ourselves up.  Basically, we don’t have to be perfect, we’re allowed to make mistakes, and mistakes teach us lessons.

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3. AJR, “OK Overture”

💿 OK ORCHESTRA • 🏷 BMG Rights Management • 📅 2021

On their fourth album, 💿 OK ORCHESTRA, 🎙 AJR (🎙 Jack Met, 🎙 Ryan Met, 🎙 Adam Met) have some enjoyable, intriguing moments and plenty of creative musical ideas.  As is often the case, however, sometimes, their hipster millennial alt pop script is, um, overdone.  That said, 🎵 “OK Overture” is an intriguing start to the album, as well as an interesting, standalone ‘OK’ cut. 

“OK Overture” begins introducing instruments and specific features of the song – you must hear it to fully understand. Regardless, it’s a 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 creative.  The thing is, if you’re not into the vibe of the overture, you probably won’t be into OK ORCHESTRA either 🤷.

“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.”

4. Tate McRae, “r u ok”

🎵 “r u ok” • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2020

Following a turbulent relationship, Canadian pop singer 🎙 Tate McRae has successfully moved on BUT questions her ex’s emotional state on the relatable, 🎵 “r u ok”. “Are you okay? / ‘Cause you’re the one who needed space,” she asserts on the chorus, adding, “And finally I’m doing fine / You’d rather see me cry-y-y.” Oh those ‘matters of the heart!’

Following the chorus, we get into the ‘meat and potatoes’ of what McRae is saying.  Basically, her ex-boyfriend had some issues properly loving.  His issues broke her down when they were an item, ultimately destroying the relationship.  “You ripped my heart right from my mouth,” she sings on the first verse, continuing, “And then I had to go and pick it up / And play it like I didn’t give a fuck.” Wow! After things ended, on the second verse, she highlights everything he did to win her back, while also acknowledging how he messed things up, and how his missteps were unforgivable to her.  She’s moved on, hence why she’s states “and I’m finally doing fine,” but he’s clearly not.

5. Wallows, “OK”

💿 Remote (Deluxe) • 🏷 Atlantic • 📅 2021

🎙 Wallows, comprised of 🎙 Dylan Minnette, 🎙 Cole Preston, and 🎙 Braeden Lemasters – dropped a groovy alternative smash with 🎵 “OK”.  On “OK,” Minnette shows off the beauty of his pipes, including some falsetto, sigh.  Besides the skills of the actor/singer himself, the melody, particularly on the chorus, is quite tuneful.

“There’s no need to explain
I know what you gonna say
‘Cause you say, ‘Goodnight,’
If you think that’s alright
There’s no need to explain
I know that we can relate
Can we get up and try to feel okay again?
Can we get up and try to feel okay again?”

Later, the bridge is incredibly distinct – gimmicky and a bit novel. Thematically, “OK” encompasses insecurities in a relationship, and ultimately embracing it, per a newsletter from the band.  While all of that’s worth noting, arguably, it’s the sound and vibe that truly makes “OK” a treat.  Musically, there are so many pros.  The colorful palette comprised of keyboards, synths, and guitar is sweet. The awesomeness of the groove goes without saying. The harmonic progression isn’t incredibly complex, but a couple quirks give make it a major player in the song’s overall success. “OK” thrives off strong vocals, colorful production and musical elements, and thoughtful, relatable songwriting.

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