Even Oxen - Arrayed Above the Seraphim Lights
Even Oxen is an artist who lives in Texas, USA, and dedicates his musical craft to Jesus Christ. The Christian philosopher’s catalogue is comprised of recordings between 2015-2020. His music is soulful, warm, and surprisingly innovative, yet his only major release Arrayed Above the Seraphim Lights is rather lacklustre compared to his stunning EP’s.
Our Messiah Flying with the Clouds Toward Heaven opens the album with grace, and despite being the shortest track, is the strongest. The sound is elicited by pure, raw feedback at its best. Unfortunately, low-fi does not have the underdog charm as it once had; the implementation is typically only interesting when it is used in a manner to convey emotion. The intro does this well, as does other Oxen’s work, yet throughout the remaining album is sounds flat. Luma is as basic as Neutral Milk Hotel ripoffs go, but it’s at least easy-going and passionate, as is the Holland, 1945
(Neutral Milk Hotel) inspired Baileys of Water. The melodic progressions of Kaiah’s Connectant Ville are gorgeous, but rather underproduced; whereas the low-fi aesthetic enhances many of Even Oxen’s songs, here it sounds disappointing, notably in the mixing department. The Dragon on the Shore Beside the Sea boasts a commendable length, though is sadly quite monotonous in nature. Some of the noise is aesthetically pleasing, yet far too familiar territory. The only song that sounds original on its own is Cherubim, with its gentle rhythm and soothing instrumental section.
Arrayed Above the Seraphim Lights would have been a landmark record in the 90’s, though falls rather flat in the 2010’s bandcamp era. While it boasts an admirable amount of passion, and the perfect abrasive-to-accessible ratio, there’s not quite enough to differentiate it from the competition. At its strongest, Oxen uses feedback to a magnificent effect; one can only hope one day he returns to this sound.
Average
Listen to it here:
https://evenoxen.bandcamp.com/album/arrayed-above-the-seraphim-lights
Even Oxen - Arrayed Above the Seraphim Lights
