On September 9, 35-year-old rock musician Karen Lee Orzolek (better known by her stage name Karen O) released her debut solo album “Crush Songs.”
The South-Korean born American musician began her career as the lead vocalist and pianist for the indie rock band “Yeah Yeah Yeahs.” Their group took off in 2006, when their second studio album “Show Your Bones” reached number 11 on Billboard Magazine’s album sales charts. Their art punk sound mimics that of groups such as “The Kills” and “Metric” and has captivated audiences at festivals ranging from San Francisco’s Outside Lands to the UK’s Glastonbury.
O’s first solo release “Crush Songs,” leans toward a more melodic and wispy feel. Soft guitar accompanies a high pitched vocal line sung in just above a whisper. The 15 dreamy tracks come from a place of emotional longing.
The first song on the album, “Ooo,” consists of 11 lines and messy acoustic guitar strumming. O’s voice seems distant as she sings about a lost love: “Cause even the sound of his name, carries me over their reach.”
The entire record possesses an unrehearsed raw quality that’s hard to find in the modern day music realm. Unidentified background noises, a constant faint buzz, and the spoken counting in of songs lead the listener to assume that the tracks could have been recorded in a cluttered bedroom. A short note released by O on her website reads: “When I was 27 I crushed a lot. I wasn’t sure I’d ever fall in love again. These songs were written and recorded in private around this time.”
“Crush Songs” was released on Julian Casablancas’ (of the Strokes) label, Cult Records. The New York-based independent record label was founded in 2009, and Karen O is one of only 10 artists currently signed.
Notable tracks on “Crush Songs” include the lustful “Day go By”, the ghostly and off tempo “NYC Baby,” and the hauntingly repetitive “Beast.” O also included a one minute cover of the Doors’ “Indian Summer.”
“Crush Songs” is the perfect intimate record to put on during a rainy afternoon or a particularly nostalgic walk to school. But the hazy and slightly melancholic set of songs leave something to be desired. The way O chose to privately record her album results in a very raw and personal music style, but the lo-fi method appearing consistently throughout the entire record creates very little distinction between songs. And although the album does flow beautifully, the message of wistful longing feels tired towards the last few tracks.