“OMG (FT. RYAN HALL)” BY EZRA EXPLORES THE REALITIES OF AVOIDANT ATTACHMENT IN COMPLEX MODERN RELATIONSHIPS

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Ezra’s introspective lyricism puts him above his peers within the indie-rock space. His newest effort, “omg (ft. Ryan Hall),” showcases collaboration at the forefront of deeply personal music. I believe this song was included in Ezra’s set when I caught him in San Francisco this spring. The studio recording solidified the song’s overall meaning, which speaks to the overthinkers of the world (hi-pot, I’m kettle!).

Sonically, this track is a bit more explorative than Ezra’s other work. It most closely mirrors “Tightrope” in the scope of its production but stands in a category of its own. Ezra often ventures into rock very gently, though I feel it’s in his nature. A fully-fledged rock song would suit him well, should he ever feel confident enough to take the plunge. “omg” and “Tightrope” specifically make me wonder what he could do with some heavily distorted guitars throughout an entire track.

This is also among the most confident he’s sounded vocally, despite the anxious lyricism guiding the way. Practice in the studio has made him feel more comfortable in his abilities, which were always naturally relatively strong. These big choruses allow him to shine, as he can take journal entries from his personal life and turn them into songs. The Ryan Hall feature adds depth to the music, both lyrically and sonically, creating a complimentary contrast between the two vocalists.

These singles and EPs have convinced me that a full-length Ezra project will be so genre-diverse and immaculately curated that he could blow up overnight. This perfectly modernized soundscape leaves room for a gigantic audience, though it is clear that Ezra is making songs like “omg (ft. Ryan Hall)” for the pure enjoyment of it all—and that is where the magic of music truly lies.