OneRepublic has commanded the attention of a worldwide audience through their intricate fusion of highly addicting pop beats, catchy choruses and carefully positioned instrumentals. The band has garnered international success with songs such as “Apologize”, “Secrets” and “All the Right Moves.” Their forthcoming album, titled Native, strings together much of the same meticulously crafted tunes found on the band’s previous albums while further demonstrating their ability to construct songs with emotional depth and heartfelt meanings.
The formation of OneRepublic began in Colorado where the
group began posting covers in 2002 on the then popular social media website
MySpace. After quickly being signed the band found itself working on their
smash hit “Apologize” with world-renowned producer Timbaland. The lead
vocalist, Ryan Tedder, has even written multiple hits such as: “Bleeding Love”
for Leona Lewis and “Halo” for Beyoncé. On their album Native, Tedder has brought his award winning lyrical genius
beginning with the first single “If I Lose Myself.” This song captivates the
view of someone looking back at their youth with lyrics like viewing your “life
out the window” and “thought of all the people, places and things I’ve loved.” Aside from the reflective lyrics, this song offers a pleasant chorus, but it
doesn’t seem to carry the same gravity the band’s other hits have.
The uplifting track “Feel Again” released last August as a
charity single has previously broken the top 20 a few months ago. It possesses
heavy gospel influences and a wide percussion element that lends the track a
celebratory quality. “Counting Stars” is one of the more refreshing tracks off
the album with easily the catchiest hook and beat that showcases a few of
Tedder’s vocal twists. His voice is also the predominant factor on the soul touching
track “Burning Bridges.” These songs are the most unique on the album, but its
unknown if any of them have the capability of making an impression similar to
“Apologize” or “Secrets” on the general public.
One of the key hit or miss areas on this record was the use
of synthesizers, which often dilutes the richness that Tedder’s voice naturally
encompasses. Often times the songs on Native
sound overly produced with electronic synths and would benefit immensely with
the inclusion of more stripped down versions to highlight Tedder’s falsetto.
Still the band proves that it is a cohesive unit of creative artistry ready to
attempt tackling the top of the charts again.
Grade: B-
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