Omni - Souvenir Review

Sun soaked and pensive at the same time as being inquisitive and funny, Omni’s fourth record sits well within their musical catalogue, a matured post punk that is easy and charming listening.

Ah, post punk. The genre cycle and the way we discuss genre is as tiring as it ever has been, and yet, I recently found myself embroiled in the post punk fatigue discussions. There was a reason that I was obsessed with it for the better part of two years.  Danceable and moody,  often containing sprechgesang that would offer humor or absurdity, and some type of sincerity. Omni would form my knowledge of the genre as I ventured out of the guitars of Radiohead ( was very much entrenched by them for the latter stage of my teen years) and started to pay attention to what was currently exciting, the music that was being played by small bands in much heralded pubs all over London. The trio, hailing from Atlanta, have fine tuned their post punk sound to the point of dictionary definition. The band, comprised of Frankie Broyles, Philip Frobos, and Chris Yonker successfully stick and hammer in on their much established sound which goes against this said fatigue against the so-called saturated genre (I should know, as I was a part of it). “Souvenir” is a demonstration that there’s space for this. Being their fourth album on Sub Pop Records. Using the time over Covid to elevate their musical skills have proven to make an album of groovy, wistful tracks.

Lead single “Exacto” is a perfect example of their sound at its best; catchy bass line, propulsive drumming and angular guitar riffs.

The shorter song length suits the band’s style, kick a short punch, with not much to linger on before you’re introduced to the next, equally as short track. Yet the album is stronger towards the second half

Vocal features from Izzy Gauldini are a nice injection of freshness and works well with the distinctive vocals of Broyle, a partnership that is touched upon multiple times throughout the record.

Sun soaked and pensive at the same time as being inquisitive and funny, Omni’s fourth record sits well within their musical catalogue, a matured post punk that is easy and charming listening.