Punks were asleep, head bangers weren’t paying attention, and other rock fans were probably just doing something else when Weezer dropped their latest album just days ago. Weezer, the geeks who made being nerdy ‘cool’ are back with a twelve track collection of songs that fans of the band are might enjoy, whilst casual fans are likely to respond with mixed reactions. Ok Human has a hint of the older Weezer that the world fell in love with, though the album is certainly experimental and a slight pivot from their version of ‘normal’. Could this be the start of something, or perhaps, even the end of something?
Ok Human continues this experimental fad, exchanging electric guitars for an orchestra and a hefty amount of piano
It’s probably neither the beginning nor the end of anything being that Weezer has seemed to enjoy playing with new sounds and showcasing different sides of themselves in their more recent endeavors. Ok Human continues this experimental fad, exchanging electric guitars for an orchestra and a hefty amount of piano. Lyrically, Weezer plays around with the usual feelings of self-doubt and social awkwardness that has skyrocketed the band into fame. Some of the songs however, are more descriptive of the vibe of 2020 and how everyone has and is handling the isolation and the abrupt changes to their daily lives. Even with the depressive angle comes a few songs that play a bit more upbeat, which works, because it keeps Ok Human from being more one thing than another.
What stands out the most is how much of the orchestra is involved in the music production. There are a few tracks that come off as more ‘pop’ rock but for the most part the album goes heavy on the strings, and accompanied by the melodies/harmonies by lead singer Rivers Cuomo. The overall experience feels new, though the opening track All My Favorite Songs shows that the vintage Weezer is still alive and well. The social uncomfortableness is strong with this one lyrically and it still sounds like an alternative rock single. Playing My Piano is a literal declaration of what the song sounds like, obviously lead by a piano with Cuomo singing about life at home with everyone occupied in their own quarters; this being the ‘new normal’ that many have been faced to endure the past year. Mirror Image is a quick track, more vibrant than many of the others with a large emphasis on the drums and saying “she is my Mirror Image” likely pointing to Cuomo’s relationship with his partner. Screens moves with a quicker pace with the obvious message of what living life through our phones, TVs, and computeres is like and the lack of human connection we’d have without them currently.
Weezer makes a return to music unconventionally, though for them that may not be saying much. Still, fans can take comfort that this album is most likely NOT for radio play. They are back to doing their own thing, opinions be damned, so that at least cannot be knocked. Give it a listen on Spotify or YouTube.
