On Oni Pond is the new album from Philadelphia’s experimental pop group, Man Man, and the track, “Head On”, has made its way onto our playlist.
“Head On” was the first song released from the album, and it’s a perfect introduction to what you can expect to find on the record. The first time I heard it, I was immediately addicted. The gigantic hook will reel you in from the first few bars of the song, but don’t worry, this is not mindless pop. The lyrics are melancholy, bittersweet, and reflective and simultaneously joyful and inspirational. It is a song that will likely get stuck in your head, but probably one you won’t mind hanging around in there for a while.
On Oni Pond is the fifth release from the quirky outfit. Their approach this time out is more pop oriented than their earlier releases, but their experimental nature and varied influences and musical styles are still on full display. You’ll hear elements of 50s rock, hip hop, 80s art rock, psychedelia, 60s soul, and even reggae sprinkled throughout the record, but it all comes together in an imaginative, melodic album full of interesting rhythms, monster hooks, and clever, oftentimes humorous lyrics. The band has fine tuned their vision and focused their crazy energy, creating “a strange and beautiful record but it’s also head on and fearless,” according to the gravelly voiced frontman, Honus Honus.
On Oni Pond is available from Anti- Records, Amazon, or iTunes; and is streaming on Spotify. Follow the band on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, and be sure to catch them on tour in the U.S. and Canada this fall.