Tamar Berk “ocd”
Tamar Berk’s newest album, ‘ocd’, is her most polished effort yet, combining luxurious production, lyrical depth, and shoegaze sounds. As the title implies, the album delves deeply into the repeating, nervous thought patterns that characterize obsessive thinking. Berk’s greatest strength is her emotional honesty. Her cooing voice calms the tumult, and her production choices keep the songs warm and real, even when the subjects are bleak.
That said, ‘ocd’ isn’t always as memorable musically as it is thematically. Several songs lack the sharp hooks that would bring listeners back for repeat spins, however it does beat true to it’s own slowcore drum, like the laidback “indiesleeze”and “I’m In The Day After.” Big highlights for me were the sharp lyrical details of “You Ruined This City for Me” with its urgent guitar lines and the hazy arrangement of “I Had a Dream I Was Lost in an Auditorium.” For listeners drawn to the emotional landscapes, ocd will feel like a mirror. For those craving sharp, replay-ready pop craft, it’s a little more uneven. Fans of Tamar will enjoy this and ultimately this highly recommended.
KEYS “Acid Communism”
While it’s new to me, Welsh psych-pop outfit KEYS have been making hook-driven, genre-bending music since their 2002. Two decades on, their eighth album ‘Acid Communism’ is their boldest statement yet—raw, expansive, and unafraid to push into some power pop territory.
Acid Communism embraces grit. The opener “There’s No I in Teams” erupts with energy—clattering drums, jagged guitars, shimmering keys—while “Form A Band” channels classic rock swagger. Softer turns arrive with “Your Shoes” and the impressive “The Greatest Joke of All,” written solo on piano during lockdown with a Beatles-styled catchiness. Another gem, “Poyekhali” lightens the mood before tracks like “The Spectre” steer the record into darker territory. Each song feels distinct, yet the sequencing ties them into a bigger journey, making this a great listen overall.
The title is a meditation on connection and togetherness in an age of digital detachment. As frontman Matthew Evans puts it: “ACID” is experimentation, “COMMUNISM” is community. That philosophy shapes the record’s collaborative, unfiltered spirit. Highly Recommended.
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