‘Intercepted Message’ is an album that surprises and captivates with new pop elements along with classic Dwyer shred.

Nothing is certain except death and taxes, other than maybe the yearly end-of-summer release of a new Osees album. Since its inception in 2003, this musical collective, helmed by John Dwyer, has operated under a multitude of monikers: OCS, The Ohsees, The Oh Sees, Thee Oh Sees, Oh Sees, and now Osees. Their yearly cadence of albums forms a kind of musical evolution, much like humanity’s journey from primitive beginnings. Osees’ sonic metamorphosis traverses genres, from garage rock to punk, diverting to prog, new wave and the interstitial intersections. Though this record feels totally new, it does still have many of the classic Osees staples, including, crucially, the DD-3 Reverb pedal and Dwyer’s distinctive breathy rambling.

Their 27th album, ‘Intercepted Message’ marks an intriguing departure from 2020’s jammy prog heavyweight ‘Metamorphosed’ and 2022’s low-fi punk-tinged ‘A Foul Form.’ It infuses the band’s signature energy with a fresh mix of synthesizers and playful whimsy, carving a fresh niche in the band’s extensive discography. The album kicks off with the ‘Stunner,’ which could be confused with garage rock of the distant past if not for its bubbling phaser-like synth work that pierces through the mix in opportune moments. A true surprise arrives in the form of ‘Blank Chems,’ where, the band skilfully meld the quirky attitude of DEVO with a vintage synth-infused vibe. The result is a track that defies categorisation, seamlessly shifting between retro influences and modern experimentation.

The title track, ‘Intercepted Message,’ emerges as a standout centrepiece. It masterfully transports listeners to the heyday of the British new wave, invoking a sense of nostalgia for the likes of The Vapors. The track unfolds like an enigmatic transmission, capturing a moment suspended between time and space. This infusion of diverse influences restates Osees’ commanding ability to traverse different eras and styles, while moulding them into a coherent and captivating sonic narrative.”

A striking component is Dwyer’s lyrical simplicity. Throughout the album, his words lack polysyllabic complexity, often replaced by yelps and barks that evoke the fervour of a restrained dog. A notable exception comes in ‘Submerged Building,’ where he melodically exclaims, “It’s just happenstance, surely there’s no great romance from long ago.”

Embedded within this intricate soundscape are tracks that exemplify musical mosaics – compositions born from extensive jamming and meticulously structured into succinct pieces. This quality resonates strongly with Osees’ 2019 release, ‘Face Stabber.’ ‘Stunner’ stands out in this regard, with intricate twin guitar harmonies and prog-inspired intricacies. Although it lacks some of the sawtooth-like grit of albums like ‘Smote Reverser,’ ‘Intercepted Message’ has still so much of the Osees grunt, creating that energy and momentum that is so present within their live shows.

As the album nears its close, it veers into unexpected territory. ‘Always at Night’ emerges, draped in lush synthesisers and a pop sensibility reminiscent of Spandau Ballet with its schmaltzy vocals, laced with clichés. It imparts a playful charm that navigates the thin line between sincerity and satire.

Continuing this unpredictable trajectory, final track ‘LADWP Hold’ emulates the music often heard while on hold with entities like the IRS. An automated voice, imbued with a slightly dazed demeanour, assures the listener that their call is important, even as the elevator music glitches into oblivion. This is reminiscent of the closer of 2016 album ‘A Weird Exits,’ which similarly departs from the style of the rest of the album, a burning love song which breaks down into more drawn-out distortion.

‘Intercepted Message’ encapsulates Osees’ journey of ceaseless transformation, their ability to manoeuvre across genres fluidly, and their skill to weave diverse influences into a coherent whole. The band’s name-shifting history, spanning a quarter-century, mirrors their capacity for reinvention. ‘Intercepted Message’ adds yet another chapter to Osees’ intriguing discography, reaffirming and reframing their status as musical pioneers unafraid to traverse uncharted territories in the pursuit of sonic innovation.