Mr. Oud - Babies 4 2! EP REVIEW
Babies 4 2! EP Cover (Image: @dixonrats)
Mr. Oud’s brand of exotic pop sits somewhere between the experimental and psychedelic, and his latest opus Babies 4 2! doesn’t disappoint. Weaving in and out of genres and sub-genres with ease, the South-Western Sydney artist puts forth a delightful EP.
The opening track Sushi Train throws the listener right into the mind of Mr. Oud, with a steady bass driven beat slowly morphing into something more Bowie-esque. Amidst a discussion of love and its variations, the beauty of the track is in its details. From wobbling saw synths to hypnotic fifth-harmonies, Oud injects the right amount of experimentation without drawing away from his lyrics. Body Dance builds on this energy, taking a more intense look on love. Here, Oud draws percussive influence from the drum machines of the nineties and creates a dance floor friendly track. Perhaps most impressive is the introspective breakdown, where gorgeous ‘reverse effects’ are a welcome change of pace.
Boys Like Him is a more lively track based around (hard to digest) parental advice. Staying true to himself stylistically, Oud half-times the track and throws down some beautifully filtered vocals in the fashion of our favourite French robots. The EP’s lead single Lightning McQueen continues Oud’s penchant for vehicular metaphors, telling the story of internal conflict and escape. The romanticism of this track comes to life in the accompanying music video, in which the artist himself tries to find peace with the demands of his parents. In fear of having to find a ‘real-job’, the artist rekindles a love for cars that is cheekily referenced in the lyrics. Directed by Cristobal Olguin (@cristobalolguinfilms), the video is a nostalgic and intimate companion to the song itself.
Mr. Oud (Image: Andew Lin @andew_)
The EP pushes on to Virgin Vegas, a swirling top-down drive through relationship trials. Spacey pads accentuate thick harmonies, sitting behind some of the most gentle vocals from Oud. The pace does, however, slow down for the final ballad, Mew 2. A fitting end for the extended play, this track brings a retrospective and mature outlook on past events. Oud throws in a soulful, guitar backed acapella before wiping his memories from the past.
A thoroughly conceptualised project, Babies 4 2! is a daring peek into the artist’s mind. With Oud taking creative control over production and songwriting, his greatest strength lies in his authenticity. Experimental music doesn’t always fare well, but Oud takes a fresh approach, offering a colourful and whimsical EP sure to make you smile.
