Album Review: oh michael – Party?

The unnamed musician behind oh michael and the Party? album had a very specific aim, and achieves that splendidly.

When recording the album, he says the goal was “to make songs that could be played at a party without someone getting angry.” The title could be asking if the party is happening or if you want to go to one. It may seem indecisive, but the album is far from that. It’s a question and an invitation, as well as a possible soundtrack.

It would be a soundtrack for a very specific kind of party, something that becomes obvious once you hear the leftfield indie of give me a reason. The lyrics refer to the West Coast, but the song is very much imbued with a 00s New York vibe. The fuzzed and fluid tones of The Strokes mix in with the indie electro of LCD Soundsystem, a song that has deep emotional themes that can, to reflect the album title, be a party track if you want it to be.

There’s wit to be had, too. if I was cool and british blends in a wry wisp of that Libertines/Arctic Monkeys sound that in some cases was as much pose as passionate music. Each time I listened to it, I changed my mind about what the song was saying. What better topic is there at a cool gathering than to debate the meaning of a cool song?  

Having established its sonic parameters within the first two songs, oh michael still finds room within that to push beyond your expectations. From the downbeat synthwave of trash castle to the initial Ben Folds vibing textures of stillness of stranger in this world, there’s so much variety within those deceptively basic building blocks.  

The most striking thing about Party? is that you can imagine it working as the accompaniment to a group of friends hanging out together. It reads like a mixtape, because it hangs together yet the mood and tempo change from track to track, but it works as a whole as well. It’s not going to fade into the background, as it’s too good for that to happen; it doesn’t demand your attention either – it simply lets the music do the talking, knowing that you’re likely to listen if you’re a music fan.    

Party? came out on the 3rd of July and is streaming on Spotify and YouTube and all major music platforms. And maybe someday soon, we’ll find out who is behind this gem of an album; you might find some clues on this Instagram account!

This review was paid for by Ambrosio Galactino, CEO of Bodycool Media, and has been approved by the Commissioner of Safe Senso-Data (Sector 49).