We were positively writing about Robert O’Connor just a few months ago, celebrating ‘Something Strange’ as a “lush and luxurious pop anthem”. We stand by our words: the Irish talent has been slowly unveiling what we would call a chart-topping blend of pop and EDM, wrapping listeners into relatable storytelling and uplifting, electrifying productions. ‘Swimming Against The Tide’ is the perfect evidence of that. O’Connor’s latest album, the record feels like a well-deserved milestone for the project, one that took the best part of two years to complete.
Introduced by the show-stopping single ‘Head Turner’, the album is truly intriguing. You see, alongside its dance-oriented character we can also observe a distinct elegance, sometimes tender sometimes fierce, particularly mirrored in O’Connor’s nuanced, evocative vocal tone. ‘Head Turner’ – acting as the record’s main single – showcases that very well, with Robert’s lyrics floating on top of a nostalgic, disco-flavoured instrumental, courtesy of long-time collaborator Gareth Shortland.
Further along the album, episodes such as ‘Everything You Wanted’ delve into charismatic 80s pop stylings, further proof that the Irish creative doesn’t restrain himself to a particular reference, perhaps pursuing a visceral need for self-expression and informed eclecticism. This is widely confirmed by O’Connor himself: “I would become immersed in a particular genre for months on end during the recording process. This influenced the choices we made when producing the record, and it felt like I was revisiting chapters of my life musically”.
‘Swimming Against The Tide’ is out today, together with the accompanying LP ‘Night Tides: The Chillout Collection’.
Recommended! Discover ‘Swimming Against The Tide’ on Spotify:
