Ojai (EP)

Ojai
EP by
Young & Sick
Released2018
GenrePBR&B
Length17:00
LanguageEnglish
LabelB3SCI Records
Young & Sick chronology
Young & Sick
(2014) 		Ojai
(2018) 		No Static
(2018)

Ojai is a 2018 EP by Young & Sick. It was his second release, following his self-titled album in 2014.

Songs

In an interview, Young & Sick described the EP as showcasing "a nice range of what the next phase of Young & Sick will be."[1]

On the songwriting process for the EP's first track and titular single, "Ojai," Young & Sick described his experience staying in a hotel in Ojai, California:[2]

I was staying at a hotel there called The Rancho. I just had a few drinks and I was in the sun, and I just let a very apparent feeling hit myself, hit me. I got to make a song about taking too much on your plate and how that affects you and how you can have, like, a micro-meltdown because you’ve put too much on yourself.

Release

The EP was released in 2018, along with a limited-edition yellow vinyl record with red and black splatter designed by Young & Sick containing the first two songs on the EP.[3] Young & Sick expressed his pride in the design, calling it "one of the wackiest, in-depth pieces of art I’ve made."[4] Along with the record, Young & Sick also released a number of visual designs for the release of the EP,[5] including three pairs of sneakers and a hoodie.[4][6]

Critical reception

The EP was well received by critics. Regarding the EP's cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams," online music publication Earmilk noted that the cover proves that Young & Sick "can take on the classics," and sounds "[d]renched in California sunshine with a dash of twinkly lo-fi indie sensibility."[7] Earmilk also reviewed the single "Ojai," calling it a "near-perfect pop song."[8] On the single "The Road," Complex said that Young & Sick "uses the raw and track to further encapsulate his recent travels throughout small town America."[5] The EP ends off with a "gorgeously pared-down solo piano version of EP single 'Ojai,'" as described by BroadwayWorld.[6]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Ojai"Nick van Hofwegen4:13
2."The Road"Nick van Hofwegen3:52
3."Dreams" (Fleetwood Mac cover)Stevie Nicks4:47
4."Ojai (Solo Piano)"Nick van Hofwegen4:08
Total length:17:00

References

  1. ^ "EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE + Q&A: Young & Sick Strips Down "Ojai" & Dresses Up Ones To Watch Logo / Ones To Watch". Ones To Watch. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  2. ^ Jukely, Team (October 25, 2017). "Musician and visual artist Young & Sick releases upbeat single "Ojai" | Four Over Four". Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  3. ^ "Young & Sick - Ojai". Discogs. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Young and Sick's Music-Fueled Art". Threadless Blog. February 9, 2018. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Premiere: Young & Sick Shares Raw, Soulful New Cut "The Road"". Complex. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Young & Sick Releases Solo Piano Version of OJAI, EP Out 1/26". BroadwayWorld. January 4, 2018. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  7. ^ Ceccarelli, Katey (December 1, 2017). "Young & Sick infuses Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" with tenderness and sunshine". EARMILK. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  8. ^ Ceccarelli, Katey (October 25, 2017). "Feel everything with Young & Sick's sun-drenched "Ojai"". EARMILK. Retrieved December 19, 2020.