Omar Apollo, Apolonio | Album Review 💿

Apolonio, the 2020 mini-album by Omar Apollo, provides a marvelous sampling of the incredible things that he has in store for the future.

It’s Omar time! Who? Rising Mexican American artist 🎙 Omar Apollo is definitely a gifted musician.  Though he has yet to release a proper full-length debut album, his EPs and his latest mini album, 💿 Apolonio highlight incredible potential.  With the 23-year old originally from Hobart, Indiana, the sky seems to be the limit.  Apolonio provides a marvelous sampling of the incredible things that he has in store for the future.

“I’m Amazing” 

Omar Apollo kicks off Apolonio with ample swagger on “I’m Amazing.” Here, he sounds loose and youthful and serves up a heaping dose of BDE.  That BDE goes beyond a lyric like “Shit remind me when I used to blow your back out,” by the way.  Does he make a game changing statement on this short, vibe-laden joint? No, but it’s certainly a pretty amazing, or at a minimum, a moderately amazing start. 

Of ✅ “Kamikaze”, Omar Apollo tells NME: “When I made ‘Kamikaze’ I was reminiscing on how I used to feel for someone and realizing those feelings are lost and we’re left with nothing.” Produced alongside Teo Halm, he ‘brings the heat’ on “Kamikaze.” He references his previously released single, “Stayback”, on the intro. From there, he goes on to sing about his past feelings, which seem to be about a guy in some form or fashion (“And that pretty boy still hit me up on strange occasions”).  Whatever the extent of their relationship, they no longer have the same feelings (“Now we’re like strangers in this lobby / Like kamikaze”).  At one point, he asserts, “Fuck you, boy / I’m a leave this state and never come back.” Beyond the male pronouns, we also add fun lyrics he bestows upon us, with a personal favorite being, “I ain’t really know you was freaky though / Ass round like cheerios / And you got a lil’ vimeo / What’s the password? You just froze.”  Beside theme and lyrics, “Kamikaze” is appealing thanks to the production, sound, and of course, Omar’s vocals.

“Want U Around” 

On ✅ “Want U Around,” we get not only one rising start but two. I never envisioned Omar Apollo collaborating with Australian teen standout 🎙 Ruel, but the results amazing.  Apollo handles the majority of the song, the absolute boss that he is.  That said, Ruel joins him on select moments, bringing his utterly distinct, expressive pipes in all their glory. Ruel also gets his own verse, showcasing soulfulness clearly transcendent of his age. Adding to the excellence is the sound of this record – it’s definitely a vibe.

The young, handsome, open-minded musician captivates on the short, but sweet and incredibly soulful ✅ “Stayback”. The recurring lyric, “I can’t help that you been on my mind,” confirms the love-centric nature of the record.  Furthermore, check out the music video – a wild party and Apollo locking eyes with a guy – (perhaps a former lover or past love interest) – and you’ll get the gist.  2:40 is ample time for him provide us with a soulful hit, diving into R&B, alternative R&B, and neo-soul. Amongst the cool sounds are distorted guitar, a rad guitar solo (Oscar Santander), and a robust bass line. The groove is simple but incredibly effective, anchoring the record down superbly.

Vocally, Omar sounds utterly sublime; he excels in this vibe, without questions.  His falsetto is ripe, while his playful delivery is incredibly alluring.  As far as the songwriting, the catchy chorus is definitely the centerpiece:

“You know I been feeling you since way back
But I couldn’t even make the words to say that, say that
If I could switch bodies you know I’d change that, change that
But you could never love me so stayback, stayback.”

Omar remembers a relationship from the past but also seeks to move past it, having his former lover “stay back.” Essentially, his love issues/pain/plight are our listening pleasure. 

“Hey Boy” 

Sometimes, you don’t even need two minutes to drop fire. ✅ “Hey Boy” marks another captivating moment on Apolonio, despite its brevity. Omar sets the tone with the chorus, which is incredibly simple yet memorable.  Then, 🎙 Kali Uchis shines on two incredibly sexy verses.  “Always on your mind, you could call it haunting,” she sings at the end of the second verse, continuing, “Papi, ven pa’ca’ and see this ass in person.”  Pretty sweet alternative R&B joint.

Fittingly, Omar Apollo incorporates his Mexican heritage on ✅ “Dos Uno Nueve (219),” which is almost entirely performed in Spanish (he utters some profanity, clearly in English).  As impressive as his vocal performance is, the guitars courtesy of Oscar Santander is epic AF. You don’t have to understand a lick of Spanish to enjoy this standout.  Following his Latin turn, Omar sings exclusively in English once more on “Useless.” “Useless” is funky, in an indie-pop, indie rock sort of way.  It’s a record that still invites the soul crowd, but also welcomes alternative music fans.  The guitars are assertive, while the falsetto vocal layers on the chorus, the centerpiece, are utterly beautiful.  The falsetto vocals are a stark contrast from the verses, sung in a lower register, with a more even keel approach.

“Bi Fren” 

Like “I’m Amazing,” ✅ “Bi Fren” drips in swagger.  Also, obviously, it raises speculation regarding the musician’s sexuality, which he doesn’t really address (nor does he have to). That said, there’s clearly some connection that Omar had with this guy, mumble approach to performing or not.  On the second verse, he asserts:

“I still like him, I still like him
I used to drive around your block without no license
Separate you and your bitch, I’m not no hypen
I hate your bitch, so I dipped out and jumped the high fence
He talking ‘bout hi friend, I’m talkin’ bout bi friend.”

It’s definitely intriguing – incredibly entertaining. That groove is lit.  Apolonio concludes with “The Two of Us,” a funky, retro-soul cut that puts a cap on a pretty exhilarating mini-album.

Final Thoughts 💭

All in all, Apolonio showcases the immense potential and upside of Omar Apollo.  Is there any way possible that his full-length debut won’t be fire when it arrives in 2021? Apolonio shines thanks to great vocals, compelling songwriting, and perhaps most of all, a willingness to experiment and exhibit a lost art – innovative spirit.  Perhaps it’s not a cohesive effort, but Apolonio provides a marvelous sampling of what Apollo has in store for the future.

✅ Gems 💎: “Kamikaze,” “Want U Around,” “STAYBACK,” “Hey Boy,” “Dos Uno Nueve (219)” & “Bi Fren”

🎙 Omar Apollo • 💿 Apolonio • 🏷 Warner • 🗓 10.16.20

[📷: Warner]