OAKMAN – SCP EP Review
SCP, otherwise known as Sugar Coated Pill, is OAKMAN’s brand new EP that follows up a handful of singles that have been released over the course of 2022, demonstrating the group’s skill in weaving their influences of pop-punk, 80s synth-funk, and pure poppy energy.
OAKMAN is a French pop/rock power trio established back in 2016, comprised of lead guitarist and vocalist Marina, bassist Geremia, and drummer Jesse. They have had a fruitful career so far, touring directly after releasing their first EP, Waterscape, taking them from their homeland of France across the globe, performing in Japan, Italy, England, and the United States, certainly showing their worldwide appeal. The project is clearly well-focused as each track embodies an atmospheric energy that seems to flow directly into the next, providing a clean and smooth listen that encourages the listener to stick around for more. OAKMAN does a beautiful job at blending their influences so that there’s a little something for any audience, as live instrumentation mixes with digital synths that truly create a lush soundscape.
The EP opens with “Night”, a dance track with a tempo that’s close to one’s own heartbeat, immediately entrancing the listener. Being the first single off SCP, complete with 1980s-styled synths, expansive and spread-out snare hits, funky strumming patterns on the guitar, and groovy basslines, this track is a great introduction to OAKMAN’s sound before getting into the rest of the project. Lead singer and guitarist Marina ties all the instrumentation together with her luscious vocals that fill out all the space within the song, all the while getting the listener to begin singing her words without knowing it, pushing that idea of closing one’s eyes and feeling the vibe to the forefront of your mind.
Right as the first track ends, we are thrust into the next instantly, never losing that momentum of the driving beat of the drums. “Murder” is the second single off OAKMAN’s third EP, and for good reason. Talking about the meaning of the song, Marina explains in a previous interview from Concert Crap that the song is about sexual abuse: “I know that ‘murder’ is a strong word, but I wanted to represent it through the hatred, anger, and sadness that the trauma of rape or sexual abuse can leave on a life.” Despite the heaviness of such a topic, the song remains one of those tracks that seems like it’s happy and high-energy, but truly has a darker meaning behind it, and that contrast makes it stand out in such a way that makes it powerful to both the listener and the performer.
OAKMAN continues down their pop-rock path with the following track “Fantasy”, the third single from the project that embodies their lush sound. Synths kick off this track with some funky drum patterns, making way for Marina’s vocals to complete it. The palm-muted guitar matched with the synth patterns along with the thumping bass in the background brings it all together, even leaving room for some distortion to shine through on the lead guitar.
Following this, the title track takes its place as the fourth song on the EP, culminating the idea of a sugar-coated pill into this three-minute blast of sonic energy. Easily a hit, “SCP” has an upbeat, driving chorus with Marina belting out her comparison of her lover to a sugar-coated pill. Just like a sugar-coated pill, this track goes down easy, guiding the listener along a story of love that anyone can relate to. The drums shine on this track by setting the dynamics up well, quieting down right at the end of the verse to come and explode onto the chorus.
The penultimate track on the EP entitled “Lucky Charm” is a slow burn, taking the tempo down quite a bit, allowing the audience and OAKMAN to take a moment to decompress from the jumping dance hits that fill the rest of the project. The keys really carry this song by providing the constant piano chord that frames the track while also embellishing the empty space with deep, bass-heavy synths. By the final minute or so, OAKMAN embraces their pop sound further by throwing in a pulsating kick and turning the slower track into a speaker-knocking, head-bopping break that gives room for the instrumental to ride out alongside Marina’s repeated vocals, fading out to beautiful strings and keys.
By the end of the record, OAKMAN blasts us back into their pop-rock roots with the final track “All the Way Up”, letting drummer Jesse guide the song along with his unique drum patterns. Matched along with a catchy synth and guitar lead, the glassy and polished sound is ever-present as the song thunders all the way up to the sky. This song feels like a great ending to the record as it sums up all the trio’s influences into one track, as there are the 80s sounding synths and guitars along with live drums that bring the rock-and-roll aspect to their music, as well as the punching bass that keeps feet tapping and heads moving.
With a quick six songs totaling at around 21 minutes, OAKMAN’s third EP SCP makes pop-rock their own, as they mix in their many influences into a sound that is unique and full of life. SCP has something for any listener as their sound spans various musical tastes, proving the endless possibility music has to offer. Each member of OAKMAN makes their skills apparent on the record, displaying their control and virtuosity with their individual instruments to meld together into something much greater, making the EP a must-listen.
SCP, the third EP from French pop-rock trio OAKMAN, is out this Friday on September 30th through the label Rude Records and will be available on all streaming services.