Album Review: Ollie Ollie Oxen Free by Authority Zero (by Theo Martin-Herbert)

It's an absolute pleasure to listen to something so precise and perfectly designed for what the group is going for. Authority Zero's latest, ''Ollie Ollie Oxen Free'', instantly hits with an understanding of what it is and what you're in for, confidently and effortlessly introducing the listener to the beginning of a perfect pop punk album. However, it does manage to deftly avoid any writing clichés, I was constantly surprised throughout by how song structures winded in and out of choruses, how those choruses gave you just enough of what you know and love while giving you a fresh take or an entirely new angle. Definitely the sound of a confident and able band having fun, creating a record that's an absolute joy to listen to.

Appreciation has also got to be given to the production, the guitars have a fantastic and growly energy while keeping a high-end sizzle and clarity, making every lead line cut and every rhythmic part chunk underneath and keep the bounce. Absolutely fantastic stuff and I'll certainly have to nerd about on some forums to check out what gear was used on the record. The energy and bounce of the record is catapulted by the slick production by Cameron Webb, with the band noting in various interviews that he helped push the positive vibe of the lyrics and the pushed the music of the band to try approaches such as working from drum ideas to create full songs. It really shows in the freshness of the tracks throughout, a record such as this that is so dedicated to a sound can really slow down towards the last third of the album, but Authority Zero deftly avoid this, striding throughout and keeping their own pace.

With "Ollie Ollie Oxen Free", Authority Zero have crafted an absolutely fantastic experience. Fresh, confident and inspiring, definitely a perfect antidote to the past couple of years, I heavily recommend grabbing this record and letting it wash away the negativity we've all experienced as we close out the year. Fantastic stuff.

Stream and download Ollie Ollie Oxen Free on Bandcamp here.

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This review was written by Theo Martin-Herbert.