OK Human — Home — What’s Cool?

Los Angeles-based rock band Weezer has returned with the released of their fourteenth studio album OK Human. The first of two album releases scheduled for this year, OK Human continues Weezer’s tradition of continual evolution and transformation. The group has phased through many identities throughout its length discography; some great, and some leaving much to be desired. Luckily, lead singer Rivers Cuomo and company’s efforts here pay off, as OK Human is a short-lived but very enjoyable bunch of tracks.

The project’s opening lead single “All My Favorite Songs” can only be described as ridiculously catchy. On this track, Rivers Cuomo cleverly discusses the sadnesses he faces in various aspects of his life. These dichotomies are delivered elegantly, culminating in a strikingly relatable chorus. The orchestral instrumentation throughout this project, like on this track, bring the band back to its fantastic roots. The second track, “Aloo Gobi”, is much more effective when its context is understood. Cuomo wrote this track in 2017 when reflecting on the mundanity of the routines in his life and a lack of enjoyment from what used to make him happy. Now though, in a post-COVID-19 world, this track is granted a layer of irony, because those “dull routines” Cuomo once decried are now the same ones he desperately wants to return to. Clever.

“Grapes Of Wrath” tells the story of Cuomo’s experiences with insomnia and eventually resorting to audiobooks in an effort to get to sleep. Cuomo has described half-sleeping states as mystical, because he is more easily able to imagine fictional worlds like those from 1984 and The Lord of the Rings, among others. The instrumentation is strong here, and so far, this is a solid Weezer album. It’s about time.

“Numbers” is a technological track one would expect featured on an album whose title references Radiohead’s 1997 classic OK Computer. Here, Cuomo reflects on his tendency to seek validation through intangible methods like social media likes. By the end, he suggests that the discomfort this brings can be combatted when we join together and seek meaningful relationships with others. The orchestral instrumental works yet again, and Rivers’ voice never gets old.

“Playing My Piano” allows Rivers to communicate the passion he still feels, all these years later, when doing his favorite activity. At under three minutes, this track certainly doesn’t overstay its welcome, but I almost wish there was another layer of complexity here to increase the track’s memorability. Overall, not bad. “Mirror Image” faces the same criticism from me, as it comes in at just over a minute long. Although it’s a heartfelt message about his wife Kyoto’s love, the track is too short to grow a strong connection with.

“Screens” is another direct critique of the role of technology in our modern lives. Cuomo is describing our overreliance on instant gratification delivered by social media, which is terrifying when analyzed too closely. He asks the question “Where will we be 21 years from now?”, which may live on as a haunting and prophetic lyric. I love the drums on this short track. “Bird With A Broken Wing” is one of my favorite tracks here, as it beautifully communicates finding contentment despite obstacles in life. This song can be interpreted in many ways, but I see it as the inevitability of us all coming to reality in relation to our dreams and finding beauty in our ability to contribute to the world around us. “I’m just a bird with a broken wing, and this beautiful song to sing / Don’t feel sad for me, I’m right where I want to be” is just incredible writing.

“Dead Roses” is one of the eeriest tracks on the album with a Beatles-like influence to my ears. I don’t have anything deep to say about this track besides that I enjoyed it very much. “Everything Happens For A Reason” is a quick instrumental bridge that transitions seamlessly into “Here Comes The Rain”, a clear play on The Beatles’ “Here Comes The Sun.” This track was apparently written for political commentator Sam Harris, whose opinions often vary from mine, but overall I appreciate this track for what it is. I certainly enjoy it more when the external context is removed. “La Brea Tar Pits” closes things out nicely and introspectively, as Cuomo finds himself sinking into the title tar pits and clamoring that there is so much more to live for despite all of the negatives this album has circled. Solid ending to a solid album.

While not as thematically cohesive as would have been ideal, and underdeveloped at times, this is one of Weezer’s best albums in some time. OK Human flows almost as one continuous song that covers a range of thought-provoking subjects in a sonically-pleasing manner. One of my favorite albums of 2021 so far, this record leaves me excited for the band’s upcoming album Van Weezer. Go give this a listen.

Favorite tracks: “All My Favorite Songs”, “Aloo Gobi”, “Grapes Of Wrath”, “Numbers”, “Screens”, “Bird With A Broken Wing”, “Dead Roses”, “La Brea Tar Pits”

SCORE: Light 7/10