Owl City is the brainchild of musical prodigy Adam Young, a Minnesota native who by all accounts loves God, has an overactive imagination, and is a big introvert, all things I can deeply relate to. In 2009 he released a little song called “fireflies” that became a sensation. Suddenly the guy was on the top of the billboards and going on world tours, and somewhere in the middle of all that was expected to write a follow up album to his major label debut “Ocean Eyes” that would meet or even surpass the 500’000 copies sold. That album ended up being “All Things Bright and Beautiful” an LP that trades in it’s beach sandals and summertime fun for a fuzzy blanket and Autumn vibes.
Right off the bat there’s a sense of maturity in the lyrics and music that suggest Adam Young has done a lot of growing up in the time between his debut and this album. The lyrics are far more focused and speak of the awe and wonder of nature as well as the heartbreak of life with far more clarity than before with the opening track “The Real World” being the perfect example of this and also serving as a sudo worship song celebrating the beauty of nature and the wonder of imagination. In the next track “Deer in the Headlights” we get the heartbreak (albeit with tongue firmly planted in cheek) with the metaphor of being rejected feeling like being maced or punched in the face hitting so close to home it almost hurts (no pun intended). However just because things are more serious this time around doesn’t mean that Owl City has lost all it’s charm and whimsy. In fact the whimsical tends to amplify maturity of the music with songs like “Honey and the Bee” and “Plant Life” giving me a strong Beatrix Potter vibe that makes everything feel far more grown up than some pop music I’ve listened to. Elsewhere themes of outer space and faith in God intermingle in tracks like “Angels”, “Galaxy”, and “Alligator Sky” with once again a solid dose of the whimsical keeping everything grounded and from taking itself too seriously. The music is built on a foundation of familiar bubbly, fuzzy, synths that fans of Owl City’s previous projects will undoubtedly know and love. However this time around everything is bigger and fuller with well placed drums that give several songs (particularly in the first half of the album) an almost power pop vibe. Additionally strings make several appearances on songs like “Galaxies”, “Angels” and “Dreams Don’t Turn to Dust” giving them a cinematic (and at times late 90’s alternative pop) feel. Finally we get a solid sprinkling of the experimental on “Kamikaze” with hip hop beats and bizarre lyrics that are either about our spiritual battles or a fun imagination spot about being in an action movie (and then something about comets or something). The hip hop influences also returns when we get a guest rapper on “Alligator Sky”. This is album is best enjoyed on a quiet contemplative October Saturday with a warm cup of tea. Rather your detoxing from a busy week or contemplating the complexities of life this album is a good reminder that in all things, rather good or bad, you can find something bright and beautiful. Recommended Tracks: The Real World Galaxies Alligator Sky Plant Life
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