Project Description

 

Poison Oak.

POISON OAK
‘Losing Ourselves’
(Single Review)

(23rd September 2021)

Reviewer: Amelia Torresan

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Poison Oak

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“Poison Oak have expertly created a paradoxical song where the vocals contrast the lyrics and instrumental.”

The indie-rock quintet ‘Poison Oak’ from the Sunshine State have returned back to the music scene, guns ablaze, with their newest single ‘Losing Ourselves.’ The song’s memorable melody and raw passion will be sure to resonate with anyone who comes across and listens to it, because that’s exactly what Poison Oak are experts in: creating absolute bangers.

From the get-go, ‘Losing Ourselves’ automatically puts you into a calm state as it begins with mellowed out guitar riffs with just enough reverb to create a dreamlike feel. The warm vocals entice and persuade the listener to lose themselves in the song in the space of one verse. The song takes almost a complete 180, showing Poison Oak’s versatility when it comes to the creation of their music and embracing different styles in one song. 

‘Losing Ourselves’ swiftly transitions from mellowed out and all-in-your-feelings, to funky and upbeat as the 2nd verse rolls on. Poison Oak have expertly created a paradoxical song where the vocals contrast the lyrics and instrumental. The tone of the vocals sound like a desperate plea while the lyrics and instrumental are enticing and positive-sounding. This contrast, along with the change in musical style, make the song interesting to the listener and have no trouble keeping the engagement in the song. 

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“I wanna know, wanna know. I wanna say wanna say”

The way the lyrics in ‘Losing Ourselves’ progress and are paired with their musical counterparts resemble somewhat of an inner monologue and the process of one’s thought. Inner thoughts and feelings are passionately communicated with the help of the emotional vocal stylings in the melody. The doubling of the vocals and harmonies cleverly mimic alternative inner voices duplicating thoughts in the internal monologue and ultimately create a song that has not only meaningful depth, but also musical depth.

Poison Oak have created a song that’s a perfect mix of emotional and fun to listen to. With a sound that can be compared to Neck Deep, The Killers, and Gang of Youths, ‘Losing Ourselves’ is the kind of song that you’d want to immerse yourself in and lose yourself to. 

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Poison Oak.

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Biography

Poison Oak is a North Queensland rock outfit made up of four members – James Balthes, Russell West, Ray Pearson and Chris Reiterer . Balthes and West met each other while working as High School teachers’ at the same school in Townsville, soon becoming friends. Both had previously played in bands throughout Australia, Balthes playing in Dunes, Jeremiah and Preachermen and Bacchanales. While Russell had previously played in Kitty in the Well, (NSW). Both knew Ray Pearson as a mutual friend, the three soon began jamming and playing throughout mid 2019. Balthes brought songs to the group made up of melodic piano ballads, catchy rock riffs and soon, the group started to gel. Grant Miles joined the group, meeting through mutual friends, adding a dynamic hard hitting style on drums. Miles soon left the band for family commitments. Chris Reiterer soon joined the group. After an extended break Chris returned to the drums two years ago with original Townsville outfit The Littmus Steampunk Band. He connected with James and Russell in 2019, jamming and playing at a local teachers battle of the bands and soon joined Poison Oak in 2020. During co-void19 the band has been writing and releasing new material while receiving radio and media attention around the globe, including reviews in Amnplify and FV music blogs hottest picks of the week. .

“Start Again”, was the bands first release, a song about starting again after going through emotional upheaval, lightly suggesting that pain brings out the best motivation. “I love the way it builds, and those chorus backing vocals are a nice touch too”, (Dan Condon, Triple J).

The band soon released their next single, “Feeling Numb On Sundays”. An Indie Rock tune with anthem like build ups, that reflects the working-class style of the band. Powerful build ups and breakdowns while including straight up rock n roll riffs. “Hand claps and all, this is straight up feel good indie. And the pre-chorus gave me good DCx3 flashback”, (Gemma Pike Triple J). “Giving it your all on this one and that’s to be admired”, (Declan Byrne Triple J). Feeling Numb Sundays’ gained international radio attention and was added to many curators play lists around the world, during it’s release. Amnpliy reviewer Laura Hughes described the song as a “track that evokes deep thought about your life, it is a song that drives home message that hit’s us to the core”. Following these release the band soon released their debut three track EP, the “Living Room Sessions”. Nkechi Anele from Triple J Roots and All show reviewed the track stating, “Love the dynamics, and the use of harmonies throughout that bring fresh sensibility to this track”. While Declan Byrne from Triple J’s Home and Hosed wrote “capturing that travelling band feel perfectly!” With Living Room Sessions gaining media attention around the globe and was Fvmusic Blog hottest finds of the week.

In October Poison Oak released their first single “Waiting” from their upcoming EP, “1996”. Waiting received multiple features and reviews in magazines throughout Australian and around the globe. Happy Magazine described Poison Oak’s new single as “hitting a pub rock bullseye”. While Amnplify’s Laura Hughes described Waiting, as “Poison Oak has written another catchy tune to get you through the week”. Tone Def Sounds wrote “What can we say about their new single, it hooks you in on the initial listen”. The single also garnered reviews in the Other Side Reviews. The Sounds Won’t Stop stated, “Poison Oak knows how to create a classic aesthetic with the just the right tones and churns them into catchy songs that makes you want to start jumping around the room and sing along”. The song also, landed on multiple playlists throughout the globe.

The band released their second single, “Sarah” from their sophomore EP “1996” in February. Landing the band more community radio play throughout Australia and a string of positive blog and magazine reviews,” Love this big stomping power pop! Really great tune that builds so well. Cheers Poison Oak”, Steph Hughes Triple J. As well as being featured in Amplify Magazine, “Poison Oak’s sound reminds me a lot of the Killers, fresh and authentic, as well as having a familiar rock sound. I’m sure that Sarah is a song that will resonate with variety of people both lyrically and musically”. The band also scored rotation on international radio stations including Lopsided World of L.

In march the band released “1996”. Triple J’s Max Quinn stated, “I think there is something here for sure, when the chorus comes in I can really here the passion in the delivery. Happy Magazine also reviewed the EP stating “Poison Oak dish hook-fuelled emotive aussie rock on 1996 EP”. With EP gaining praise from radio stations and magazines all throughout the world, the band also play series of shows in their local home of Townsville.

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Poison Oak

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