Just when you think American roots music should be relegated to the dusty confines of a purist’s museum, it will surprise you with a paradigm shift. Take Marty O’Reilly & the Old Soul Orchestra — passing through tradition, the quartet stumbled upon innovation, proving that old souls can be creatively fresh.
The Santa Cruz, California-based quartet’s latest, Stereoscope, out February 9, marks an evolutionary leap in a journey of artistic identity, songwriting maturity, band friendship and fiery group synergy. Here, Marty O’Reilly & the Old Soul Orchestra homed in on their signature cosmic roots aesthetic, brimming with cinematic songcraft, impressionistic lyrics, clever arrangements, telepathic ensemble interplay, and soulfully world-weary vocals. Imagine the delta blues reprised by psychedelic indie rockers.
Today Glide is excited to offer an exclusive first listen of Stereoscope. The album is simultaneously a departure and an evolution for the band, and is easily the most realized collection of songs they have released to date. Each track is filled with lush sounds and deep, thoughtful lyrics. In a recent feature on the band and their new album, Glide‘s Andrew Quist had this to say:
“This record is a departure from the previous two. It is a true collaboration and testament to the power of this quartet.While past albums saw Marty as the indisputable driving core, this one is different. Stereoscope is a shared labor that announces a new direction and they’re damn proud of it. Proud because it is hard to find something that it sounds like. It is a shapeshifter. Past records could be pinned to Blues, maybe Rock or Gypsy Swing but these songs and this sound is now this band’s own. That is what makes it exciting, that is what makes it a Sgt. Pepper’s level record.”
Reflecting
‘Stereoscope’ has been a step away from the influences of our biggest heroes in order to focus on our own voice as a group. The sounds on this album were inspired by our own lives and experiences. It’s an experimental album that feels familiar because the ideas and decisions we had to make along the way were done so with our hearts and nothing else. We have learned to trust that people always understand what you’re saying as long as you really mean it.
LISTEN:
Marty O’Reilly & the Old Soul Orchestra release Stereoscope on February 9th. For more music and info visit martyoreilly.com.
