OLIVER TREE - ALONE IN A CROWD
Oliver Tree, a unique and enigmatic musician, captivates audiences worldwide with his unconventional style. From professional scooter rider to a well-known artist, Tree's diverse sound and eccentric stage presence defy categorization. With his signature aesthetics and boundless creativity, he continues to push the boundaries of the music industry and keep us wondering “What’s next?” With the release of Alone in a Crowd and a new look, it’s certain that Tree’s character is everchanging, despite the usual “Final Tour” discussion, which typically signals the end of the current era and transitions into the new one.
Alone in a Crowd opens with the song ‘Bounce’. The video, accompanied by Tree’s overexaggerated facial expressions while singing helps to announce the new era even announcing the new character, Cornelius Cummings. With his signature quirky style and vocals, Tree delivers an energetic anthem that is both infectious and unapologetically unique.
The album’s next track, ‘One and Only,’ is a slightly calmer song. Still keeping with Tree’s usual exaggerated vocals, the track speaks on feeling less alone with someone and wanting to be with them and wanting to exist only with them. Though softer and having a calmer tone than the rest of the album, this track still shares the same upbeat as the rest of the album and is easy to find oneself dancing to.
With the first feature on the album, ‘Essense’ featuring Super Computer gives somewhat of a Y2K feel to the album. Like the previous one, this track speaks on wanting to be with someone and feeling like they know you better than anyone. Even making the claim “You’re my essence” and “without you I’m nothing.” Especially in the chorus, the track is easy to dance to, and overall vibe with, leading perfectly into the next track.
‘Elevator to the Sky’ is a very existential track. Expressing wonder at what happens in the end, Tree expresses being “Gone with the wind and never seen again” and after death taking that elevator to the sky. It sheds a more optimistic sight on leaving the world instead of the usual fear. Though a curious take, Tree doesn’t speak of any fear of leaving the world, but instead a content feeling with the unknown.
Closing the album out, ‘With You’ is more of a chill song than the previous one. Still keeping Tree’s exaggerated vocals, the overall instrumental is calmer than those previously shown, especially within the chorus. The sound of the track gives off a lot of blue and purple shades, leading off into the ending with the chorus instrumental being mixed with more of a dance beat to close the album out.
Alone in a Crowd is a fun record for anyone and has something for fans old and new. Tree continues to push the boundaries of what he is comfortable with in his music and the feelings he is able to portray. The record expresses everything from love to loss and does a wonderful job at doing so while also keeping the same catchy beats Tree is known for and being relatable to many.
Niki Davidson
★★★★☆