Hypersonic Missiles: 7.8 The Borders: 7.5 White Privilege: 6.6 Dead Boys: 8.1 You’re Not The Only One: 6.8 Play God: 8.5 That Sound: 7.3 Saturday: 7.9 Will We Talk?: 7.5 Two People: 8.1 Call Me Lover: 8.7 Leave Fast: 8.5
My expectations for “i,i” were simple. I expected ambience to the max, off-kilter song structures and strong hooks. I didn’t expect to hear something coherent but I did hope for it. I pretty much got what I asked for without the coherence. Like 22, A Million, there are soaring standouts like Faith, which has a powerful digitized bass and epic build up not dissimilar to Creature Fear, only less folk more gospel. We is another favorite.
I can’t help but feel a sense of longing; a fabricated second-hand nostalgia for a time and place so disconnected from me. And for this, Omoiyari is both a narrative and technical success!
The melodies are great here, a strength Steve has in spades, yet when paired with his hypnotizing cadence over busy production, I have a hard time remaining focused on his words. There are obvious exceptions including Playground which has a well-arranged Prince inspired, quick and catchy hook. The groovy melodies on N Side as well are clear as day and I can’t express how brilliant and sticky Only If is.