Oh Me Oh My

Visual artist and musician Lonnie Holley worked with star producer Jacknife Lee on the studio effort Oh Me Oh My, honing Holleys freewheeling narratives and recollections into concise yet atmospheric songs. His poetic lyrics address earthly struggles while pondering our place in the universe, generally expressing messages of hope and encouragement. Several of the tracks on Oh Me Oh My take the form of ambient lullabies and meditations. "Testing" opens the release with drifting pianos, trickling synths, and Holleys rich, bellowing voice. Michael Stipe guests on the albums calm, ethereal title track, with sparse piano and upright bass underpinning Holleys lyrics about learning to be more understanding and growing more appreciative of the gift of life. "None of Us Have But a Little While" is a simple but resonant reflection on mortality, backed by Sharon Van Ettens soaring vocals. Other tracks are more urgent, continuing in the funk-influenced direction of Broken Mirror: A Selfie Reflection (Holleys 2021 collaboration with Matthew E. White). "I Am a Part of the Wonder," one of two tracks featuring Moor Mother, has a shuffling Afrobeat rhythm, shimmering kalimbas, and spaced-out trumpets. Some of the albums most gripping moments directly draw from Holleys storied past. "Mount Meigs" addresses his time at the Alabama Industrial School for Negro Children, where he was forced into hard labor and subject to unspeakable physical abuse. A torrent of painful memories rushes out, carried by racing, rollercoaster-like drums and a dense, dizzying fog of horns, strings, and abrasive guitars. On the cosmic rumination "I Cant Hush," Holley states that in his advanced age, hes finally able to understand why people keep pain and traumatic experiences to themselves, but its necessary for him to express himself and tell his story. The album ends on a puzzling note with "Future Children," in which Holleys gruff intonations are processed into a stark, robotic tone over jittery, post-minimalist recorder sequences. ~ Paul Simpson

アラバマ州バーミングハム出身の世界的に高名な芸術家が、音楽家としての4作目をリリース。ロックやアフロビート、アンビエントからアヴァンギャルドまでを呑み込んだ作風は混沌と秩序が交差する世界観を持ち、真摯な声は聴き手の心を打つ。プロデュースは名手ジャックナイフ・リーが担当し、マイケル・スタイプ、ボン・イヴェールらゲスト陣も超豪華。
bounce (C)赤瀧洋二