OK Orchestra

by AJR

Overview

The fourth album from New York trio AJR, 2021's OK Orchestra finds them further expanding their rambunctiously inventive, diaristic brand of pop. Self-produced, the album again features an impressive mix of instruments that goes far beyond the usual guitar-bass-drums aesthetic, and finds AJR dipping into brassy jazz ("3'O'Clock Things") and orchestral pop ("My Play"), not to mention the sundry elements of electronic and hip-hop production that run throughout. We even get an ambitious blend of everything on the anthemic "Ordinaryish People" which features percussion contributions by members of the conceptual Blue Man Group. These are buoyant, likeably earnest songs in the tradition of bands like Fun. and Ben Folds Five. As with much of AJR's past work, there's a sense on OK Orchestra that the band (made up of siblings Adam, Jack, and Ryan Met) are gifted, twentysomething kids just trying to make sense of the chaotic world they find themselves coming of age in. It's also one that's informed by a witty sense of irony as they transform mundane details about struggling to make connections with friends and lovers into relatable touchstones. On "3'O'Clock Things" they sing, "If I keep on talking politics, my friends will dip, they're over it/If I keep on talking politics, I'm Hamilton (without the hits)." It makes sense that AJR would reference Lin-Manuel Miranda's hit Broadway musical. Much like Hamilton, or Miranda's biopic musical In the Heights, OK Orchestra isn't just full of hit-worthy pop hooks, it's stage-worthy, ambitious, and full of insights driven by AJR's personal experience. ~ Matt Collar

Product Details

Release Date:	08/13/2021
Label:	Sony Music
UPC:	0194398592213

Album Credits

Performance Credits

AJR   Primary Artist
Kenny Urban   Beatbox,Beat Box
Jack Met   Vocals
Sarah Donellan   Vocals
Sari Imberman   Vocals
Stela Silva   Vocals
Toby Imberman   Vocals
Victor Delafiori   Vocals
Blue Man Group   Ensemble,Featured Artist
Jeff Quay   Percussion
Ryan Met   Vocals
JJ Kirkpatrick   Trumpet
Adam Met   Vocals
Arnetta Johnson   Trumpet
Josh Plotner   Flute,Clarinet
Alba Avoricani   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Danny Ferenbach   Violin,Trumpet
The Beu Sisters   Vocals (Background)
Emelia Suljic   Violin
Ezra Donellan   Vocals
Ruth Kornblatt-Stier   Cello
Chris Berry   Drums
Ana Santos   Vocals
Charlie Pellett   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Austin Roa   Vocals
Andrew Sobelsohn   Slide Guitar
Cat Capps   Vocals
Dane Hagen   Vocals
Gary Metzger   Vocals
Matt Imberman   Vocals
Mike Jones   Sousaphone
Otavio Capps   Vocals
Robert Colligan   Vocals

Technical Credits

Adam Met   Lyricist,Musician,Composer
Paul Simon   Composer,Lyricist
Chris Gehringer   Engineer,Mastering,Mastering Engineer
Joe Zook   Mixing,Engineer,Mixing Engineer
Ryan Met   Composer,Lyricist,Musician,Producer
Jack Met   Composer,Lyricist,Musician
Chris Cerrato   Design
Jader Souza   Design
Kamila Stankiewicz   Artwork