Apologies for that awful title, it’s probably the best thing I could come up with rather than “Emita Ox by Hello Mary Album Review”, so yeah.
Album: Emita Ox
Artist: Hello Mary
Release Date: September 13, 2024
Genre: #Indie #Alternative #Experimental
Sub-Genres: #IndieRock #AlternativeRock #Grunge #PunkRock
Label: Frenchkiss Records
Description:
Brooklyn New York based trio, Hello Mary just released their new album Emita Ox, following their 2023 self-titled album. For the past few years, Hello Mary – guitarist and vocalist Helena Straight, bassist Mikaela Oppenheimer, and drummer and vocalist Stella Wave – have expanded upon their sound. Emita Ox adapts a new genre bending sound compared to the previous 2020 Ginger and 2023 Hello Mary releases, so much to the point that it is hard to expect what the next song will present. Emita Ox delves deeper into a gritty and heavy alt-rock sound, but the tracks jump in and around as they explore different genres.
“Float” sets the ground for the genre hopping that Emita Ox explores. The start is a clean chord progression building up to an immense burst of distorted guitars and screaming. Through the stage of heavy distortion comes ethereal vocals that float over the rhythmic drumming and strumming.
“0%” is one the tracks that stick out to me the most. Oppenheimer’s bass riffs of low rumbles sound as if someones breaking down a door. The gradual progression of melodic vocals to gritty throaty screams just compliment each other so well.
“Three” is where the album’s name is hidden in the lyrics, “Emita stands politely with her ox’s head resting on her shoulder.” The gradual build paired with Straight’s guitar leaves a soothing and comforting atmosphere. My favorite part of “Three” is the piano riff in the later half, which was a very unexpected surprise considering the alt-rock and experimental elements from the previous two tracks. The piano solo then trails off into a wall of distortion and noise.
“Down My Life” has an almost “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi” by Radiohead instrumentalization with atmospheric guitar plucking, but tack on some bold and experimental bass and drum sections. The giant kick drum on this track is one of the more memorable drum sounds on the album.
“Knowing You” is a blend of fuzzy shoegaze and ethereal harmonies, lead by acoustic strumming. The contrasting nature between the shoegaze and dream-pop elements are woven together with layered guitars and beautiful instrumentalization to create a sonic atmosphere.
“Heavy Sleeper” is one the shorter tracks and serves as a little transitional period at the half way mark of the album. Ethereal vocals and gentle bass plucking that feel like a lullaby are supported by a computerized organ.
“Footstep Misstep” is very energetic and very reminiscent of 90’s post-punk. The range in styles explored tells you everything about how experimental Emita Ox is and how nothing is off the table for what Hello Mary will do. The intensity of this track is thanks to the textured guitar riffs and echoed vocals as you are thrashed around listening to it.
“Courtesy” is more mellow as it blends aspects of bedroom pop with indie rock. Sweet vocals are interrupted by sparse punchy drum hits, overlapped with fuzzy guitars. The lyrics are distinguishable and emotive showing the range of Hello Mary.
“Hiyeahi” is the most experimental of the album. Electronic sounds are layered and constant as they blare ear to ear, with vocal samples of “hi” and “yeah” sprinkled in.
“Bubble” pays homage to Hello Mary’s previous music with a dream-pop sound. The delicate and deliberate guitar leads into an intense explosion of noise and drowning guitar riffs, only to be occasionally interrupted by dreamy vocals.
“Everything We Do” concludes the album on a high note. The folky and Elliott Smith like guitar riffs veer slightly off from the rest of the album. Though this folk-like track is the release from the gritty noisy alt-rock of Emita Ox and ends the album with a serene autumnal feeling.
Hello Mary start their Emita Ox tour in Seattle, WA on October 4th. Sadly there’s no Arizona date listed, so our loss I guess. Though Hello Mary did come to Tucson back in June, I don’t know how I missed going to that show, my bad.
Sounds Like:
Momma
Pretty Sick
PACKS
Cherry Glazerr
Recommended Tracks:
Three
0%
Float
Bubble
Knowing You
Footstep Misstep
If you like “0%” I implore you to check out Silhouette Machine by Flooding, which shares a similar sound of heavy noise and distortion with prolonged screaming and quiet vocals that are the perfect juxtaposition to one another.
Emita Ox Music Videos:
Footstep Misstep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un5KMUxOx9w
Reviewer’s Name: K Galich
Date of Review: September 18, 2024
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