“My mind called me and told me so.”
Oakman have always deliver a consistent and joyous sound, drawing on the influences of Paramore‘s self-titled and After Laughter, along with the likes of CHVRCHES and The 1975. Oakman also build upon synth pop and synthwave movements, which have gained momentum in France. The likes of Perturbator, Hante., and the well-known M83 have defined and crafted this scene over the past decade or so. Within all this, Oakman have pieced their familiar influences into a catchy sound that is further solidified on Violent Oblivion.
The record takes a brief introductory track before “Ricochet” drops with toe-tapping beats and vocal hooks, which Oakman proved they were more than capable of doing on 2022 EP SCP. A harmonious bass line and drum beat strum away, allowing for vocalist Lizillotta to introduce her pleasant and expansive vocals. Jangley grooves and atmospheric synth-work allow ballad “Spiral” to give Violent Oblivion an impressive start.
Track “Missed Connections” has a certain CHVRCHES-esque manner to it; the pop-styled synths come to the forefront and are blended with emotive vocals. The addition of a neat guitar solo gives it that ‘Oakman‘ twist. “Curse” sees the synths encompass the soundscape further, bouncing around the track with some nice hooks to work alongside Lizillotta’s vocals. This approach to synth leads demonstrates how Oakman have evolved this element of their sound since SCP.
An acoustic moment on “A Letter to Them” does have the nature of acting as a stop-gap, or somewhat an extended interlude, with its string-focused nature feeling slightly out of place here. The title track “Violent Oblivion” follows immediately after and achieves the slow-pace a lot better. As synths glide with gentle drum beats, the vocals are used to build a truly ethereal atmosphere.
Despite moving down a few gears for a moment, Violent Oblivion returns to dancable rhythms on “Air Hunger“, which ratchet up even further on “Acte Manqué“. Offering up a swaggering synth mixed with tidy drum tom fill that will remaining on the contemplative notes lyrically, has an oomf to it. “Love Picture Soundtrack” lives up to its name, containing the air of a credits scene song of your favourite romance film and all the cheese that come with it. Before ending fully on closer “…faraway in space, forever” fully draws on the atmospheric stylings that M83 perfected on Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming.
As mentioned, Oakman are very much a band who wear their influences, with Violent Oblivion being the sum of those. While that might write the album off to some, there is a decent album here, alongside impressive performances most notable from vocalist Marine Lanzillotta. It is one that is enjoyable, too, allowing one to indulge in its sound packed with hooks on the synths and vocals, and beats that will catch the ear.
7/10
Violent Oblivion will release May 3rd via Rude Records and can be pre-ordered here.