Hello Mary - ‘Emita Ox’ review
Hello Mary by Hannah Edelman
Earlier today, New York City’s Hello Mary released their highly anticipated new album Emita Ox via Frenchkiss Records. Delving deeper into heavy distortion and psychedelic dreamscapes, this LP finds Hello Mary expanding their distinctive alt-rock sound, blending gutsy, virtuosic musicianship with a darkly playful edge. Co-produced with Alex Farrar, the album serves as a blistering follow-up to their 2023 self-titled debut. It’s noisy, pop-infused, and feels perfectly attuned to this moment—a confident and driven sophomore effort that shows exactly why there’s so much hype surrounding the band.
The turnaround between Hello Mary’s self-titled debut and Emita Ox might seem quick to some, but the tracks on this album span a five-year period, documenting the band’s growth from teenagers into young adults. In a time of monumental shifts, as the world lurched from crisis to crisis, coming of age carried even more weight and complications than usual. This sense of turbulent transition is palpable in the heavy, noisy cacophony of many tracks, which envelop the listener in waves of dark emotion. Lyrically, the album follows suit, touching on weighty topics. Despite the often overwhelming rage, there’s a sense of catharsis as the trio navigates who they are and how to make sense of the chaos around them.
Opening Emita Ox is "Float," a track that truly lives up to its name, immersing listeners in a wave of dark, droning, shoegaze-laden sound. It begins with a brooding, atmospheric instrumental that gradually builds in intensity, creating a sonic landscape both heavy and expansive. The sombre tones are contrasted by bright, shimmering guitars and ethereal vocal lines that float effortlessly over the dense instrumentation. As the song progresses, moments of dissonant rage emerge, with distorted instrumentation and increasingly warped vocals adding an unsettling, hypnotic energy. "Float" sets the tone for the album, acting as a powerful overture that encapsulates its themes and moods. It invites listeners to surrender to its dark, immersive sound, perfectly capturing the tension between serenity and chaos that runs throughout Emita Ox.
The turnaround between Hello Mary’s self-titled debut and Emita Ox might seem quick to some, but the tracks on this album span a five-year period, documenting the band’s growth from teenagers into young adults. In a time of monumental shifts, as the world lurched from crisis to crisis, coming of age carried even more weight and complications than usual. This sense of turbulent transition is palpable in the heavy, noisy cacophony of many tracks, which envelop the listener in waves of dark emotion. Lyrically, the album follows suit, touching on weighty topics. Despite the often overwhelming rage, there’s a sense of catharsis as the trio navigates who they are and how to make sense of the chaos around them.
Opening Emita Ox is "Float," a track that truly lives up to its name, immersing listeners in a wave of dark, droning, shoegaze-laden sound. It begins with a brooding, atmospheric instrumental that gradually builds in intensity, creating a sonic landscape both heavy and expansive. The sombre tones are contrasted by bright, shimmering guitars and ethereal vocal lines that float effortlessly over the dense instrumentation. As the song progresses, moments of dissonant rage emerge, with distorted instrumentation and increasingly warped vocals adding an unsettling, hypnotic energy. "Float" sets the tone for the album, acting as a powerful overture that encapsulates its themes and moods. It invites listeners to surrender to its dark, immersive sound, perfectly capturing the tension between serenity and chaos that runs throughout Emita Ox.
My favourite from Emita Ox is "Footstep Misstep," a track that embodies everything I love about Hello Mary. It feels both fresh and nostalgic, fusing '90s noise rock with Sarah Records-esque indie pop. It’s a brilliant song, and if I had to show anyone why Hello Mary are so special, this would be the track I’d choose.
After the atonal aggression of "Hiyeahi," with its clipped, electronic-inspired vocals, the final two tracks take on a more folktronica-infused sound, blending plucked guitars with the band’s usual distorted instrumentation. "Bubble" starts this shift, with swirling vocals drawing listeners in as if listening to a worn-out vinyl on repeat, before bursting into noisy, angular brilliance.
Closing Emita Ox is "Everything We Do," a track that is as melancholic as it is beautiful. Its swirling textures and haunting melodies reflect the sadness of missing friends and the unfulfilled joy of experiences not shared. It’s a bittersweet and poignant ending to the album, leaving listeners with a deep sense of reflection.
With Emita Ox, Hello Mary have truly cemented their place as one of the most exciting acts on the scene. It’s an album that justifies the buzz, perfectly balancing noise, pop, and emotional depth. As a confident and daring sophomore effort, Emita Ox proves this is just the beginning for Hello Mary—a band on the cusp of something extraordinary.
Emita Ox from Hello Mary is out now via Frenchkiss Records and available on all good streaming platforms.
