It’s been a long time since I listened to OOHYO. My last extended listen was her EP silence. When I started listening to OOHYO Returns, I thought it was just announcing that she would be making music more frequently instead of the various singles she released over the past couple of years. But after reading the album introduction, OOHYO Returns is an EP of remakes from her older releases and the first release since she left her previous label.
The five-song EP brings back songs from Girl Sense, Adventure, Far From the Madding City, along with several other songs. The album starts with “world’s quietest dj” and presents OOHYO’s signature sound. It reminded me a lot of “PIZZA,” a song she released in 2017. Girl Sense and Adventure built up this very melodic and ambient electronic pop style that became OOHYO’s recognized sound.
But “world’s quietest dj” is also a trick because the majority of OOHYO Returns is full band remakes of well-known songs. “Teddy Bear Returns” is a remake of “Teddy Bear Rises” from her first full length, Girl Sense. In a live band setting, there’s a brighter tone to the melancholy of the original, and a lot of fun to hear. The session musicians help build these songs and really open up the potential of these tracks.
“Perhaps Maybe Returns” is from 2015’s Adventure. Listening to these remakes makes it feel like maybe OOHYO’s music was meant for a full band rather than a solo act. It would be interesting if she remade all her major songs with a full band. I consider OOHOY’s early albums to be some of the best albums produced, but hearing these songs in a new version is very exciting.
2019’s “Reggae” is remade as “Reggae Returns.” The new version does lose a bit of the funk of the original to become a more standard indie rock song but remains a strong song. Throughout every track, OOHYO’s vocals stay precise and recognizable. After all this time, she continues to impress with her vocals.
Moving on from the remakes, “I Give You Love” returns to the electronic pop signature. It’s a long song at almost seven minutes. But there’s a confidence in the song. “I Give You Love” is foundational OOHYO but there’s no rush from verse to verse. It feels like after moving back to a labelless state, she’s able to express herself freely.
OOHYO Returns isn’t the release I expected, but it might be the release I’ve been waiting for. OOHYO released classic electronic pop albums that everyone should hear. But I think there were some missteps in between as she was releasing music for the audience and not herself directly. This EP might be that positive switch back to her creating for herself. This is an amazing release for OOHYO fans and might be the best place for new listeners.
Instagram | YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube Music
Written by Chris P for Korean Indie.