OCTAVIA FREUD 'LAND AHOY' LP MAGAZINE REVIEWS
"Few would equate dancing at the Hacienda in its hedonistic acid house heyday with contemplating grief, middle age, long-term illness and the morals of the current prime minister, but that’s Octavia Freud for you. Martin Andrews enjoyed his formative music experiences at the legendary Manchester club and has brought that music into his today where he finds himself fifty, a father and furious with the Teflon-coated shyster with his hand on the country’s tiller.
‘Land Ahoy’ is an album rich in variety, intelligence, wit and most importantly tunes that’ll worm their way into your head as you worm your way onto the dancefloor. While the subject matter if often heavy – remembering a friend who died too young on ‘I Find This Hard’; facing middle age and self worth on ‘50’, and skewering Boris Johnson on ‘Boris Can Dance’ – the music often rises against; this is a party first and foremost.
There is room for more abrasive, industrial-heavy electronic noise (album opener ‘Circle of Light’), but it’s tempered with full-on disco fun (‘Hot Nights’) and effervescent yet cynical synth-pop (the Younger Younger 28s-styled ‘Straight To the Top, featuring Mila Todd on joint vocals). The last of those provides perhaps the album’s high point both musically as well as mood wise, but everyone will have a personal favourite, from the Happy Mondays-go-darkwave sci-fi swagger-funk of ‘Long Hauler’, to ‘50’ where Underworld meets Yard Act via John Cooper Clarke.
The title ‘Land Ahoy’ references Martin coming to terms with life and it’s a set of songs that perfectly balances reflection with buoyancy. Last month’s front cover feature revealed a man with a story to tell and that comes across well here, but the album also reveals a man who you’d be happy to spend a mad night out clubbing with. ‘Land Ahoy’ maybe but let’s hope the Octavia Freud ship has many more seas to sail before it finally settles into port." (Bekti Manish)
‘Land Ahoy’ is an album rich in variety, intelligence, wit and most importantly tunes that’ll worm their way into your head as you worm your way onto the dancefloor. While the subject matter if often heavy – remembering a friend who died too young on ‘I Find This Hard’; facing middle age and self worth on ‘50’, and skewering Boris Johnson on ‘Boris Can Dance’ – the music often rises against; this is a party first and foremost.
There is room for more abrasive, industrial-heavy electronic noise (album opener ‘Circle of Light’), but it’s tempered with full-on disco fun (‘Hot Nights’) and effervescent yet cynical synth-pop (the Younger Younger 28s-styled ‘Straight To the Top, featuring Mila Todd on joint vocals). The last of those provides perhaps the album’s high point both musically as well as mood wise, but everyone will have a personal favourite, from the Happy Mondays-go-darkwave sci-fi swagger-funk of ‘Long Hauler’, to ‘50’ where Underworld meets Yard Act via John Cooper Clarke.
The title ‘Land Ahoy’ references Martin coming to terms with life and it’s a set of songs that perfectly balances reflection with buoyancy. Last month’s front cover feature revealed a man with a story to tell and that comes across well here, but the album also reveals a man who you’d be happy to spend a mad night out clubbing with. ‘Land Ahoy’ maybe but let’s hope the Octavia Freud ship has many more seas to sail before it finally settles into port." (Bekti Manish)
"This latest release from Oxford’s favourite trip-hop / acid house exponent is a ten-track masterclass in vibe building. From the opening track, ‘Circle of Light’, serving as a nice warm-up to what follows, all the way through to the titular track at the end, there’s something on here for everyone.
‘Long Hauler’ has its place on any summer road trip playlist, while ‘When I Was A Kid’ feels like it’s ripped from the soundtrack of Skins – it’s both nostalgic enough to relax to, and has the beats for a house party essential. ‘Boris can Dance’ is probably my favourite track on the LP – a tongue in-cheek political track about Our Dear Leader set to some phenomenal synth-pop beats that’ll have you laughing some of the pain of current events away. With a big push, ‘Straight To The Top’ could be an actual summer anthem – the subject matter is serious, but the beats are Ayia Napa and summer barbeque - ready. Stick it on stealthily while your Tory Uncle munches on a half-burnt burger and see what sinks in. ‘Hot Nights’ takes a different club scene vibe and feels more Miami than Ministry, but you’ll appreciate how danceable it is after five cans of Red Stripe at 2am. Every musician in the city will appreciate ‘Fifty’, too. I won’t spoil it, but if you’ve ever played a gig, you won’t know whether to laugh, cry, or just give an affirmative nod. This is an exceptional LP that your collection is incomplete without, and your summer will be significantly better for having this as the soundtrack". (KS) |
BLOG REVIEWS FOR TRACKS OFF 'LAND AHOY' LP
"The production on this was pretty great, great vocal and songwriting" - Motel Void Blog
"Dig the Yard Act vibes" - Crack in the road Blog
"Cool track, liking the rhythm on this and the vocal work is good too" - Plastic mag Blog
"Really unique and distinctive sound - I love the vocals, they really stand out. Fun dance electro synth vibes!" - The Lowdown magazine Blog
"Pretty cool track and vibe on this, reminds me of the Streets with the quirky beat" - We love Lo-fi Music Blog
"Loved the piano and how upbeat the music was" - York music Blog
"This is a lovely immersive electronica sound, with current political lyrics, a great track" - Catbear Blog
"Liking the bold and driven aesthetic of this one" - Mystic sons Blog
"I really like the lyrics. This sounds like music made by a smart, angry librarian with a drinking habit. I really enjoyed it" - Alt77 Blog
"The track has an otherworldly and cosmic sound with a theatrical narration, wide reaching synths and a trippy retro-futuristic psychedelica" - At Cost Magazine Blog
"It's cool. I like the big bass and the sound design. It is well produced" - Ben C Blog
"We appreciate the unconventionality" - Destroy/Exist Blog
"This brings us into the world of movies, life in the big city and the future. Serious bent but with a hint of the absurd. Octavia Freud have come up with the goods, we're learning on the job and maybe one day soon we'll be fully conversant with their innovative flow" - mp3hugger Blog
"A very playful tune. Interesting blend of different styles with spoken word, guitars and electronics in an uplifting arrangement." - SecretElectric Blog
"The track blends sardonic wit and disaffected charm to capture a singular personality. We appreciate the vocals and lyrics for sure, fitting into the same bracket as John Cooper Clarke et al." - Various Small Flames Blog
"Getting that modern post punk sound for sure" - When The Horn Blows Blog
"Dig the Yard Act vibes" - Crack in the road Blog
"Cool track, liking the rhythm on this and the vocal work is good too" - Plastic mag Blog
"Really unique and distinctive sound - I love the vocals, they really stand out. Fun dance electro synth vibes!" - The Lowdown magazine Blog
"Pretty cool track and vibe on this, reminds me of the Streets with the quirky beat" - We love Lo-fi Music Blog
"Loved the piano and how upbeat the music was" - York music Blog
"This is a lovely immersive electronica sound, with current political lyrics, a great track" - Catbear Blog
"Liking the bold and driven aesthetic of this one" - Mystic sons Blog
"I really like the lyrics. This sounds like music made by a smart, angry librarian with a drinking habit. I really enjoyed it" - Alt77 Blog
"The track has an otherworldly and cosmic sound with a theatrical narration, wide reaching synths and a trippy retro-futuristic psychedelica" - At Cost Magazine Blog
"It's cool. I like the big bass and the sound design. It is well produced" - Ben C Blog
"We appreciate the unconventionality" - Destroy/Exist Blog
"This brings us into the world of movies, life in the big city and the future. Serious bent but with a hint of the absurd. Octavia Freud have come up with the goods, we're learning on the job and maybe one day soon we'll be fully conversant with their innovative flow" - mp3hugger Blog
"A very playful tune. Interesting blend of different styles with spoken word, guitars and electronics in an uplifting arrangement." - SecretElectric Blog
"The track blends sardonic wit and disaffected charm to capture a singular personality. We appreciate the vocals and lyrics for sure, fitting into the same bracket as John Cooper Clarke et al." - Various Small Flames Blog
"Getting that modern post punk sound for sure" - When The Horn Blows Blog