Audioholic Media

If you’re an Owl City fan, then you probably know about the earlier release of Ocean Eyes. It’s not out yet, but iTunes is pushing the earlier date for you. We can’t legally let you hear the new album, but we’ll let you listen to what we have to say about it.

Track Listing (that you’ve been dying for)

Ocean Eyes
Release Date: July 14th (via iTunes) / July 28th (in stores)

01. Cave In
02. The Bird and The Worm
03. Hello Seattle
04. Umbrella Beach
05. The Saltwater Room
06. Dental Care
07. Meteor Shower
08. On The Wing
09. Fireflies
10. The Tip Of The Iceberg
11. Vanilla Twilight
12. Tidal Wave

If you’re familiar with Owl City’s prior albums, then you might notice a few tracks that you’ve bobbed your head to once or twice (“The Saltwater Room,” “Hello Seattle,” and “On The Wing”). We’re not complaining because they’re (still) good songs. As a whole, Ocean Eyes isn’t taking a new direction from the last album, Maybe I’m Dreaming. The good old Owl City beats which you fell in love with are still evident so you won’t be disappointed with Ocean Eyes.

There are some songs that seem to cross over to a more serious side of Owl City that we’re not used to hearing much of. I mean, singing about make-believe oceans and talking sea creatures is fun and all, but there are a few tracks that seem to have a more mature sound, overall. But there’s no need to fear, the same lovable imaginary world that Adam Young hides behind still exists throughout the majority of the tracks on Ocean Eyes.

Sara Kiesling Photography

“Meteor Showers” is a short track (2:14) but one of the more memorable ones because of its unique relationship to the rest of the album. This song takes the slow lane-approach to the rest of the album by existing in the background of the more upbeat tracks. The calmer arrangements heard in tracks such as “Meteor Showers” prove that electronic music does not always have to come equipped with ecstasy and glow sticks. Like I said, it’s a pretty short song, here are the lyrics:

“I can finally see that you’re right there beside me.
I am not my own,
for I have been made new,
please don’t let me go–
I desperately need you.”

Songs like “Meteor Showers” build Owl City’s stronger side and make tracks like “Vanilla Twilight” relevant to the album. It’s comforting to hear softer trance-like melodies merging with serious material (relationships made with humans rather than nature) such as the kind that “Vanilla Twilight” has to offer. It balances the album out very well and offers a serving of reality rather than constant fantasy.

Sara Kiesling Photography

That’s not to say that the roots of Owl City have flown the coop. If you still want your bubbly scenarios and electronic beats, then you’re only a few tracks away. Songs like “Dental Care” bring out the playful side of this album which can’t be denied. Who thought a twenty-something could sing about the fears of the dentist and still hold an audience’s attention? At first, I was weary of these kinds of tracks. Even though they seem silly to sing along to, you can’t hide from the amount of catchy arrangements which you can fit into three minutes.

“And with a smirk he says,
‘don’t have a fit this will just pinch a bit,’
as he tries not to grin.
When hygienists leave on long vacations
that’s when dentists scream
and lose their patience.”

Ocean Eyes is a nice follow-up to the prior Owl City tracks we’ve heard in the past. It’s familiar yet promising of growth all at the same time. It’s that album that can play throughout your day and make that day feel short and carefree. The dichotomy of mellow and upbeat seem to be prevalent throughout the entire album. The traditional happy roots of Owl City overpower the serious and mature tone that is heard throughout the album, even if that mature tone is sometimes heard from a distance. Regardless, if you’re looking for the right pick-me-up then you should be sure to grab Ocean Eyes on July 14th exclusively on iTunes.

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For more information on Owl City, visit owlcitymusic.com.