From the rubble of Dutch instrumental wizardry collective Exivious, we get Our Oceans -  a power trio that can hit you in the feels while also rocking out. From the gorgeous album cover, to the lovely words on the song-by-song sheet, Our Oceans have developed an aesthetic of their own. Their album "Right Here, Right Now" is claimed as a positive and uplifting musical experience, accompanied by the technical playing we all adore. The project isn't without it's slower segments, but if balanced well with other styles, it can only strengthen the quality of the album. I'm pretty excited to dig in!

Starting, per usual, by tackling one single at a time, first with "Golden Rain." Acoustic sensibilities start to begin, with a crisp and clear sound. The song radiates a melancholic feel intertwined to it's math rock-y signature switches. Soft but poignant vocals lay over the instruments well, and they get a bit harsh as the song goes on. A simply solid track of the modern prog era. The second single "Lost In Blue" changes the feels, as the lyrics, vocal work, and atmosphere take a somber tone. Not necessarily sad, but more reflective in it's message. It's a tricky switch from the last song, but it's still a well-crafted piece with a post rock-like catharsis at the end. Single three is the hypnotic and dark(er) "Leave Me Be." Our Oceans really wanted to cross off every square on the emotional bingo board, as the track is rooted in childhood trauma, creating a dark and gloomy atmosphere with a plodding bass line and hushed vocals, plus a crazy and complicated guitar solo that rounds out the dim composition. Finally, "Untamed" gets back into the punchy progressiveness from the first single. The track is just pure fun, where the band stops taking themselves seriously for a little bit. It's a great group effort to make a fun, upbeat track while also playing technically and proficiently. What a rollercoaster of a pre-release music session!

Conveniently, the first four tracks of the LP are the singles, so I can get a linear progress of the album. "Just Like You" slows things down a bit, where singer-songwriter themes and sounds take the wheel. A nice track, but doesn't hold up to the punchier or darker tracks of before. I'm not disregarding it's message, as slow songs are special to everyone in some way. Right now? I want more uplifting or dark tones, just like the positively dark-sounding "Drifting In The Drops." A whole lot is going on here, with the rhythm section and bass grooving out over some chill vocals. Next up, "Sun Stained Waters" brings a more melodic feel, as the band shows their deep and dynamic relation with both their instruments and each other. The lyrics are positive as usual, which I greatly appreciate. "If Only..." features vocals from a lifelong friend of the vocalist/guitarist. The passionate female tinge to it shines, as she also wrote the song. I'm not too thrilled about another slower song when I know what Our Oceans can do. At least they know how to play both fast and slow, which shows experience doing both. The song is a ballad, with the acoustic guitar making it's return, and the duality of voices with a calm arpeggio tug at the heartstrings successfully. The closing track, "Abloom," is a good choice as a closer, as the fun returns in a playful and energetic way. A cool feature is the choral elements. "Right Here, Right Now" is a product of a crowdfunding campaign, where people who donated got to record their voice to feature in a chorus in the final song. So cool, right? I wish I knew about this album earlier! A wholesome ending to a wholesome album the song is, and a great highlight overall.

Our Oceans takes you on an emotional, technical, and uplifting rollercoaster with their new album. This triad of musicians should not be messed with in the modern indie scene, and this album contains some lovely playing from all three members. What hinders this album from being a 10/10 is the organization of the tracks in my opinion. Why bunch a majority of the slower, calmer songs together, when by then the listener knows what you're capable of doing? Keep the slow songs, but jam out to the fun ones! For the average listener, the song is not fully out on streaming services, but the four singles are released online in an EP, so go right ahead an take a listen!