Oxy Music

Last updated

Oxy Music
Oxy Music (Alex Cameron).png
Studio album by
Released11 March 2022 (2022-03-11)
Genre
Length34:03
Label Secretly Canadian
Producer Alex Cameron
Alex Cameron chronology
Miami Memory
(2019)
Oxy Music
(2022)
Singles from Oxy Music
  1. "Sara Jo"
    Released: 17 November 2021
  2. "Best Life"
    Released: 20 January 2022
  3. "K Hole"
    Released: 1 March 2022

Oxy Music is the fourth studio album by Australian musician Alex Cameron, released on 11 March 2022 by the record label Secretly Canadian. [2] Produced by Cameron himself, the album maintains his distinct storytelling style from the perspectives of various characters. Initially inspired by Nico Walker's autofictional novel Cherry (2018), Oxy Music primarily revolves around a fictional man grappling with the opioid epidemic in the United States. [3] The album's release was preceded by the singles "Sara Jo", [4] "Best Life" [5] and "K Hole". [6] Critically, the album has garnered generally favorable reviews. [7]

Contents

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
AnyDecentMusic? 6.9/10 [8]
Metacritic 73/100 [7]
Review scores
SourceRating
American Songwriter Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Clash 7/10 [10]
DIY Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]
Exclaim! 7/10 [12]
Mojo Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [13]
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [14]
Pitchfork 5.0/10 [15]
The Skinny Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [16]
Uncut 7/10 [17]

Oxy Music was released to a positive reception from contemporary music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 73, based on 11 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews". [7] Aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave it 6.9 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus. [8]

Ryan Bell of DIY wrote, "Its steady pace and relatively tame nature (by his standards) means it might not be his most immediately striking release, but it's still testament to his talent as an astute alt-pop songwriter." [11] Michael Di Gennaro of Exclaim wrote, "Oxy Music's greatest strength is that it makes the plight of an addict easy to understand and sympathize with, and may even help addicts who tune in feel less alone." [12]

In a negative review, Sophie Kemp of Pitchfork criticized the album's production as being among the weakest in Cameron's career. Kemp also criticized its concept, writing, "More than anything, it takes on the quality of a short story written by a young student trying to cram as many neon lights, bongs, uzis, blow jobs, g-strings, and jokes into 10 pages as possible. For how clearly smart, ambitious, and upsettingly tuneful Cameron is, it’s a pity that he uses his talent for these exercises in sophistry, music that feels so vacuous and fleeting that it becomes one with the very modernity it seeks to lampoon." [15]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Alex Cameron, with contributions by Justin Nijssen, Roy Molloy, Lloyd Vines and Jason Williamson

No.TitleLength
1."Best Life"3:14
2."Sara Jo"3:02
3."Prescription Refill"3:31
4."Hold the Line"4:13
5."Breakdown"3:19
6."K Hole"3:30
7."Dead Eyes"3:30
8."Cancel Culture" (featuring Lloyd Vines)3:33
9."Oxy Music" (featuring Jason Williamson)6:11
Total length:34:03

Personnel

Performance
Technical
Art

Charts

Chart performance for Oxy Music
Chart (2022)Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC) [18] 81
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [19] 39
US Top Current Album Sales ( Billboard ) [20] 99

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A&E (song)</span> 2008 single by Goldfrapp

"A&E" is a song by English electronic music duo Goldfrapp from their fourth studio album, Seventh Tree (2008). The song was written and produced by Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory, with co-production handled by Flood. It was released as the album's lead single on 11 February 2008.

<i>The No Music</i> 2002 studio album by Themselves

The No Music is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Themselves. It was released on Anticon in 2002. It peaked at number 183 on the CMJ Radio 200 chart, as well as number 13 on CMJ's Hip-Hop chart. A remix version of the album, The No Music of AIFFs, was released in 2003.

<i>I Know Youre Married But Ive Got Feelings Too</i> 2008 studio album by Martha Wainwright

I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too is the second full-length album of Canadian singer-songwriter Martha Wainwright. It was released in Australia on May 10, 2008, with other countries to follow. The 14-track album features 12 original tracks and cover versions of Pink Floyd's "See Emily Play" and, as a bonus track in some countries, the Eurythmics' "Love Is a Stranger".

<i>Sucker</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Charli XCX

Sucker is the second studio album by English singer Charli XCX, released on 15 December 2014 by Asylum and Atlantic Records. The album was met with positive reviews from critics, praising its throwback style, and ended up being included on many year-end lists for best albums of 2014. Sucker spawned the singles "Boom Clap", "Break the Rules", "Doing It" and "Famous".

<i>Big Grrrl Small World</i> 2015 studio album by Lizzo

Big Grrrl Small World is the second studio album by American rapper and singer Lizzo. It was released on her own record label BGSW on December 11, 2015. The album received "generally favorable reviews" from critics.

<i>The Bride</i> (album) 2016 studio album by Bat for Lashes

The Bride is the fourth studio album by English singer-songwriter Natasha Khan, professionally known as Bat for Lashes. It was released on 1 July 2016 by Parlophone. The album was produced by Khan, with co-production from Ben Christophers, Simone Felice, David Baron, Dan Carey, Jacknife Lee and Matt "Aqualung" Hales. The Bride was preceded by the digital promotional single "I Do", followed by the singles "In God's House", "Sunday Love", "Joe's Dream", and the double A-side release of "If I Knew" and "In Your Bed".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Cameron (musician)</span> Australian singer

Alex Cameron is an Australian singer-songwriter from Sydney. He is best known for his solo career, a high-concept act in which Cameron initially adopted the persona of a failed entertainer. During live performances, Cameron is often joined by saxophonist and "business partner", Roy Molloy. Before making music under his own name, Cameron was also a member of the electronica act Seekae, releasing three studio albums with them.

<i>Antisocialites</i> 2017 studio album by Alvvays

Antisocialites is the second studio album by Canadian indie pop band Alvvays, released on September 8, 2017, through Polyvinyl, Royal Mountain, Transgressive and Inertia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snail Mail (musician)</span> Solo musical project of Lindsey Jordan

Snail Mail is the American indie rock solo project of guitarist and singer-songwriter Lindsey Erin Jordan. Originally from Ellicott City, Maryland, Jordan first performed as Snail Mail live in 2015 at the age of 15, and attracted attention with the EP Habit in 2016. After signing with Matador Records, Snail Mail released her debut studio album, Lush (2018), to critical acclaim. In 2021, Snail Mail followed up with her second album, Valentine, to further critical recognition.

<i>Gallipoli</i> (album) 2019 studio album by Beirut

Gallipoli is the fifth studio album by indie folk band Beirut. It was released on February 1, 2019 by 4AD. The album is named after the Italian town where the title track was written. It is supported by the singles "Gallipoli", "Corfu" and "Landslide". The band toured across North America and Europe in support of the album in 2019.

<i>Fishing for Fishies</i> 2019 studio album by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

Fishing for Fishies is the fourteenth studio album by Australian psychedelic rock band King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard. It was released on 26 April 2019 by Flightless and ATO Records. The announcement of the album was accompanied by the release of the title track and its video.

<i>Wallop</i> (album) 2019 studio album by !!!

Wallop is the eighth studio album by American dance-punk group !!!, released on August 30, 2019, on Warp Records. It was recorded primarily in Brooklyn at frontman Nic Offer's apartment. It features vocal contributions by Meah Pace, Cameron Mesirow, Angus Andrew of Liars and Maria Uzor of Sink Ya Teeth.

<i>I, I</i> 2019 studio album by Bon Iver

I, I is the fourth studio album by American indie folk band Bon Iver. It was released track by track per hour on August 8, 2019; the intro only being available on the Bon Iver fan subreddit until August 9, when the album was released properly on all services, with a physical release to follow on August 30. The album was preceded by the singles "Hey, Ma" and "U ", and the tracks "Faith" and "Jelmore" were released alongside the album pre-order. I, I features contributions from James Blake, Aaron Dessner, Bruce Hornsby, Moses Sumney, and Channy Leaneagh, among others. The album was nominated for Best Recording Package, Album of the Year and Best Alternative Music Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, as well as Record of the Year for the song "Hey, Ma".

<i>R.Y.C.</i> (album) 2020 studio album by Mura Masa

R.Y.C. is the second studio album by Guernsey-born music producer Alex Crossan, under his alias Mura Masa. It was released on 17 January 2020 by Polydor Records and Anchor Point Records. The album has guest features by Clairo, Slowthai, Tirzah and Ellie Rowsell.

<i>Blue Weekend</i> 2021 studio album by Wolf Alice

Blue Weekend is the third studio album by English rock band Wolf Alice, released on 4 June 2021 through Dirty Hit. Blue Weekend was preceded by four singles—"The Last Man on Earth", "Smile", "No Hard Feelings" and "How Can I Make It OK?". The album received acclaim from music critics, with many naming it the band's best work, and was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize in 2021.

<i>Crash</i> (Charli XCX album) 2022 studio album by Charli XCX

Crash is the fifth studio album by British singer Charli XCX, released on 18 March 2022. It was her last album to be released under her record contract with Asylum Records. Charli announced the album title, release date, and artwork on 4 November 2021. Her website was also updated with information about the album's 2022 tour. The album was preceded by the four singles "Good Ones", "New Shapes" featuring Christine and the Queens and Caroline Polachek, "Beg for You" featuring Rina Sawayama, "Baby" and two promotional singles, "Every Rule" and "Used to Know Me", the latter released as the fifth single in April 2022.

<i>Things Are Great</i> 2022 studio album by Band of Horses

Things Are Great is the sixth studio album by indie rock band Band of Horses, released on March 4, 2022, on BMG. The album was initially produced by Grandaddy's Jason Lytle, who produced the band's previous studio album, Why Are You OK (2016), and Dave Fridmann, but was later reworked by frontman Ben Bridwell and producer Wolfgang Zimmerman.

<i>Palomino</i> (Miranda Lambert album) 2022 studio album by Miranda Lambert

Palomino is the eighth studio album by American country music singer Miranda Lambert, released through Vanner Records and RCA Records Nashville on April 29, 2022. It is her eighth solo studio album. Lambert produced the album alongside Luke Dick and Jon Randall and co-wrote 14 of the 15 tracks. It was preceded by the single "If I Was a Cowboy". This is her last album with Sony Music Nashville.

"Puffin on Zootiez" is a song by American rapper Future from his ninth studio album I Never Liked You (2022). It was produced by Nils, TM88 and Too Dope.

<i>Fantasy</i> (M83 album) 2023 studio album by M83

Fantasy is the ninth studio album by French band M83, released on 17 March 2023 through Virgin Records France and Mute Records. It was announced on 10 January 2023 alongside the release of the lead single "Oceans Niagara". The band toured North America and Europe in support of the album from April to August 2023.

References

  1. Pudzianowski, Lydia (18 March 2022). "Alex Cameron, Oxy Music". FLOOD Magazine. Archived from the original on 12 June 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  2. Corcoran, Nina (20 January 2022). "Alex Cameron Announces New Album and Tour, Shares New Song "Best Life"". Pitchfork . Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  3. "Oxy Music by Alex Cameron". Bandcamp . 11 March 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  4. Helfand, Raphael (17 November 2021). "Alex Cameron gets back in character for "Sara Jo"". The Fader . Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  5. Brodsky, Rachel (20 January 2022). "Alex Cameron – "Best Life"". Stereogum . Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  6. Young, David James (1 March 2022). "Alex Cameron falls into a 'K Hole' on third single from 'Oxy Music'". NME . Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 "Oxy Music by Alex Cameron Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic . Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  8. 1 2 "Oxy Music by Alex Cameron reviews". AnyDecentMusic? . Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  9. Zimmerman, Lee (15 March 2022). "Review: Alex Cameron Dares to be Defiant". American Songwriter . Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  10. Hall, Samantha (14 March 2022). "Alex Cameron - Oxy Music". Clash . Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  11. 1 2 Bell, Ryan (9 March 2022). "Alex Cameron - Oxy Music review". DIY . Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  12. 1 2 Di Gennaro, Michael (10 March 2022). "Alex Cameron Confronts Addiction with Care on 'Oxy Music'". Exclaim! . Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  13. Aizlewood, John (April 2022). "Alex Cameron – Oxy Music: Fourth LP from Australian Killers collaborator". Mojo . No. 341. p. 83.
  14. Woods, Cat (11 March 2022). "Alex Cameron – 'Oxy Music' review: Conceptual synthpop that leaves you a little cold". NME . Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  15. 1 2 Kemp, Sophie (14 March 2022). "Alex Cameron: Oxy Music Album Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  16. Davison, Bethany (7 March 2022). "Alex Cameron – Oxy Music". The Skinny . Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  17. Anderson, Jason (April 2022). "Alex Cameron – Oxy Music: Sharp-witted yachtsman flays some new targets". Uncut . No. 299. p. 25.
  18. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  19. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  20. "Alex Cameron Chart History: Top Current Albums". Billboard . Retrieved 24 March 2022.