OMAR APOLLO'S IVORY: AN ALBUM REVIEW
- Ale <3
- May 6, 2022
- 8 min read
Updated: Nov 17, 2022
On September 14th 2021, Omar announced that he was postponing his Desvelado Tour dates until April 2022, because he wanted to take time to finish a completely new album. I remember my sister and I discussed that it meant we were probably going to be getting some great music. We were 10000% correct. In Omar's Up Next Interview with Apple, he shared that prior to the release of the original album, he wasn't looking forward to its release nor was he excited to perform the songs. Two days before the first video shoot for the album rollout, he decided to make a whole new different album with songs that he genuinely felt passionate about. I am so glad that Omar did this, because we later got Ivory. The album was released in April of 2022, and I have listened to it quite often since then. I have been a fan of Omar Apollo since his much-loved 2017 release "ugotme". I have witnessed his growth and improvement as a songwriter, vocalist, and producer. I was a huge fan of his third album "Apolonio" as it was a piece of work that defined a certain time in my life. In particular "Bi Fren" is my favorite :)))) Apolonio was actually one of my first vinyl purchases at Amoeba Records on Hollywood Boulevard. I hope to pick up Ivory if it gets released on vinyl as well.
I have always admired Omar's music for having the best melodies and for keeping the song interesting at all times. There will always be an unforgettable element in the song that will stand out to you in the end whether it be in the production, lyricism, or instrumentation. I have gone through different phases where certain songs from Ivory are my favorite. Now that I went to his concert, I feel that I am ready to give my thoughts on the album as a whole. By the way, you should just play the album as you read this. Seriously. Do it.
(Click here to see my favorite lyrics from the album.)
When the first track of the album starts, I always visualize a black and white old-movie style opening scene where the title "Ivory" is displayed. It is a great song that sets the scene for what the album consists of. The following track, "Talk", was immediately a highlight when I first listened to the album. The guitar quickly captures you with its rich chords. I was in love with how cool the catchy chorus sounded on top of the drum beat. The production and fun verses mask its bittersweet story as Omar sings "I'll be here 'til Sunday, I'll see you again someday.". "No Good Reason" is a current favorite with its playful chorus that sings "F*ck you talking 'bout? I don't know". It is so accurate with how, in some relationships, there can be moments of confusion where you just want some answers. You literally can't help but to sing the chorus with your pointer finger as you think about a particular person. Moving onto the features on the album, we have "Invincible" with Daniel Caesar and "Bad Life" with Kali Uchis. Both collaborators had their strengths highlighted perfectly. Kali's voice sounds heavenly as she enters the song with a dreamy tone. Daniel's ability to effortlessly reach high notes was displayed in the heartfelt chorus that has us tearing up. Individually, all three artists have their distinct sounds. Hearing them come together in these tracks to produce such beautiful work is the perfect example as to what happens when such talented people work together.
This album is life-changing with its vulnerability shining through in each song. We get a deeper look into Omar's mind and are able to listen to how these sounds were put together in order to perfectly encapsulate what it means to be jealous, confident, confused, or even annoyed. The second time I listened to the album, the song "Waiting On You" stood out to me. If the word "waiting" was put into a machine that creates songs that can make you feel a certain word, Omar's song "Waiting On You" would pop out. There is a guitar part at exactly 2:15 is so dreamy. When you listen you feel like you're floating while waiting for someone who is keeping you in a limbo. Omar softly sings "Handsome and tall, my baby / They think he gets all the ladies". The way he chooses to sing certain higher notes is so beautifully crafted. That was one of the main reasons as to why this song flew to the top of my favorites list.
Since Apolonio had "219 (Dos Uno Nueve)", I was really hoping for another traditional-sounding Spanish song in Ivory, and I was very pleased when I listened to "En El Olvido". His cry-like singing elevates the song so much. The high notes in the verses are so addicting to hear, especially when his vibrato is so clear and clean. That song, without a doubt, will have me crying if I allow myself to. It is touching to hear him sing so emotionally in Spanish while a guitar plays a simple plucking pattern. He mentioned in his Apple interview that he has made enough songs to release a fully Spanish album. He hasn't yet because he wants the album to be more "intentional" which I really admire. The position of "En El Olvido" on the tracklist is something I love so much. The way it transitions to "Tamagotchi" had me so caught off guard the first time I heard it. I literally had so many tears running down my cheeks by the end and then the four-count Pharrell beat started out of nowhere. I was grateful for that honestly. It did not allow me to sulk in sadness for too long.
Can we talk about Tamagotchi?! The beat, the chorus, the spanish lyrics, the fun background vocals and the production?! A 10/10 with how entertaining it is! On a weekend trip, my mom turned on the TV to play the Roku Channels where they have music stations that are divided by genres. On the viral pop channel, Tamagotchi was playing and my mom was like "Mira, el que te gusta, el Apollo." LMAO. But seriously, I was so hyped seeing it play on that channel. Even though the track has received some buzz, I still feel like it is severely underrated! The music video should have at least one million views by now. Go Watch it! The production by Pharrell and Chad Hugo (a.k.a. The Neptunes) is amazing and I expected nothing less! The "pop that" on loop throughout the song is so catchy along with the playful, descriptive lyrics. The Spotify canvas of Omar for that song is soooooo great. If you know, you know. I would love to see this song being choreographed to at those dance studios who post on YouTube. I think it would be so interesting to see choreography attached to it. It has very specific visuals that are described in the lyrics that are perfect for an entertaining routine. It would expose the song a bit more and potentially gain more popularity on TikTok if the dance is posted there by the studios and/or choreographers. Just an idea, but the song is too catchy for it not to have choreography.
In my opinion, I think Evergreen is one of Omar's best songs. That is very difficult for me to say since all his songs are so beautifully done. This song in particular sounds a lot more mature than other works I have heard. It has sad-sounding background vocals singing oooo's and harmonies that reach beautifully high notes. He sadly sings "Is there something wrong with my body? Am I not what you wanted?". The heartbreaking lyrics and vocals provides the listeners with a deeper understanding of his insecurities in terms of the story being told. The bridge is one of my favorite parts. It is perfectly constructed as you hear it grow stronger and stronger until it reaches a climax. He passionately sings "You know you really made me hate myself / Had to stop before I break myself / Shoulda broke it off to date myself". It starts to slow back down again with him singing "You didn't deserve me at all". The end of that track always gets to me, because you can really hear the emotion in his runs. There are even some vocals that sound like they are reversed. I feel that it represents the cycle that comes with the healing process of heartbreak. Sort of like the saying "One step forward, two steps back". It is such a beautiful song. I desire to be able to write about my feelings in such a vulnerable manner as Omar did in Evergreen. As I said with Tamagotchi, I also think this song is severely underrated.
Lastly, I really want to point out the outro Mr. Neighbor!!! Oh my god. The bass and synth in the middle of that song is wild. I think it is my favorite on the album vocally. In particular, Omar's playful singing for the line "I wanna be alone" like seriously what?!? So good, so refreshing, and unique! It is a breath of fresh air everytime I listen to it. Also, the way he deeply sings "I'ma do you like you did me" along with the incredible runs that he included in the background! The electric guitar also sounds heavenly as it closes the track. His songs are always bringing something unexpected, as I mentioned before, with the melodies or instrumentation. This track is the perfect ribbon that ties together the gift that is Ivory.
Please take 40 minutes and 54 seconds out of your day to listen to this album if you haven't already. This album represents Omar so well as it contains so much creativity, emotion, and vulnerability. I can guarantee that you will find at least one song that you will become absolutely in love with. I am so proud of Omar's growth as an artist and I can't wait to see how much further he will get. :)
Stream Ivory!!!
Grade: A
I would really love to hear full versions of Ivory, Endlessly Interlude, and Can't Get Over You. I do understand that it's an intro and basically two interludes, but they are seriously so catchy and so good, I need more. ( Omar you can go ahead and email me the longer versions, I'll keep it a secret, thank youuuuuuu :) <3 also if you need an intern on your creative marketing team, I am available :p :p )
- Favorite Lyrics -
Ivory: "I wouldn't tell a soul what you dream."
Talk: "Bottle up my feelings so much, one day you won't love me, one day you might love me."
No Good Reason: "You love to waste my time, but this your life, I just improve it."
Invincible: "I had to call you back to tell you that you could have spared my feelings, I'm not invincible."
Endlessly Interlude: "I know deep in me there's everything. What if I trust myself endlessly?"
Killing Me: "What I do makes me wonder if I'm alright. Holding back feelings like it's the end of my life."
Go Away: "If you saw me every morning, would you feel less important?"
Waiting On You: "Pace 'round, sitting down, wishing for a sign that don't come. I'll stay here as long as I'm alive."
Petrified: "He showed me my face, so I loosened my grip. A shadow came down, told me I live a lie."
Personally: "What we got ain't working for me and all it ever did was change the person in me."
En El Olvido: "Tu no sabes tanto que yo haría, tocarte las manitas debajo del cielo."
Tamagotchi: "This is what you want, I'm sure. I ain't tryna front no more."
Can't Get Over You: "Your skin feels like a planet. When I kiss you I could just die."
Evergreen: "Shoulda broke it off to date myself. You didn't deserve me at all."
Bad Life: "You give me nothing, but I still change it to something."
Mr. Neighbor: "I know you watch the rising sun like I do, staring at God's acre."
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