It makes sense to know that Patrick Spicer Cassidy has won awards for his composing and guitar capabilities, after listening to his new album “Oxygen.” Each track on the album creatively works together to make a cohesive, sonically mastered story. While mixing harmony with dissonance and injecting tension and darkness into each track, he creates a harrowing, eclectic sound that immediately invites listeners to want more.
The first track of the album, “Falling In” exudes a folky, nostalgic essence with its acoustic guitar reminiscent of early 2000s vibes. The slow, echoing vocals delivered in a lower, baritone tone introduce a hint of mysteriousness, akin to the allure of Radiohead’s style. Cassidy’s voice trickles in like a running waterfall, cascading with a soothful yet powerful resonance that immediately envelops the listener. Heavy reverb amplifies the ethereal quality, with lyrics like “Follow the stars” and the “Sun has come,” that evoke a celestial aura and existential contemplation.
Cassidy places the listener in a “void” with the next track, “Find You In The Void” as distorted voices immediately greet the listener in the first few seconds. It sets a contemplative tone accentuated by harsh drums and experimental orchestral elements. The echoing, haunting vocals interplay with bluesy piano flares, which eventually lead to an interlude of electric guitar riffs. The lyrics, such as “Sunrise falls around an empty sky” and “Blue tides wash away inside your eyes,” add to the somber yet mesmerizing atmosphere Cassidy creates.
We’re taken away from the experimental sound and back towards a familiar, nostalgic guitar melody, with “Sands of Time.” Cassidy then throws a curveball at us by bringing the listener to a sleek, enigmatic vibe reminiscent of James Bond’s iconic soundtrack, and then again to a softer alternative rock feel, akin to artist Linkin Park. This switch-up, while it may feel jarring, works surprisingly well to deliver a multi-varied musical journey. His lower vocal range adds a haunting quality that pervades throughout the song. If Cassidy’s voice is the rabbit, the listeners are sure to want to follow it down the rabbit hole.
With its softer, slower pace and dreamy synthesizer sound, “Rapture” embodies a dream pop essence with highly ambient undertones. The electric guitar takes center stage, weaving intricate riffs as Cassidy’s delicate vocals provide a mesmerizing backdrop. What sets this song apart from the others, is the relationship between the plucky electric guitar at the onset, but which later transitions seamlessly into a rocky, riff-driven progression.
“All in All” infuses a hint of pop influence into the mix, which brings forth a sense of sunlight breaking through clouds with its upbeat tempo and pounding drums. Cassidy’s higher-pitched vocals accompanied by a quick-paced electric guitar showcase a lighter, more buoyant side while retaining a natural, unassuming electronic influence. This track epitomizes the perfect blend of indie-rock and pop sensibilities.
Serving as the album’s title track and concluding piece, “Oxygen” begins with soft guitar strums and delicate piano melodies, gradually building in emotive intensity. Cassidy’s signature electric guitar motifs intertwine with his soulful vocals, conveying a spectrum of emotions from darkness to illumination. As the song progresses, Cassidy’s voice reaches a crescendo, as if he was using his last breath to deliver the poignant declaration that “Oxygen brought [him] to life.”
If you haven’t heard of Cassidy yet, his album “Oxygen” will surely leave an impact on you. Through a masterful fusion of genres and a lyrical exploration of the human experience, Cassidy delivers an album that creates a dusky, dark, lush feel, with similar sounds to Radiohead. While it’s difficult to distinguish between certain tracks, as they are often characterized by repetitive use of electric guitar motifs and Cassidy’s haunting vocal delivery, they still immerse the listener in a surround sound of moody folk, rock, and electronic elements.
By Mya Petryshyn
