Okay (album)
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Okay (stylised as okay.) is the second studio album by British pop punk band As It Is. It is the last album to feature ex-guitarist Andy Westhead.
Background
Immediately following As It Is' 2015 album Never Happy, Ever After, the band played shows across the US on the 2015 run of Vans Warped Tour. While on tour lead singer, Patty Walters, struggled with depression and his mental health. He started writing songs during this time in order to cope. During the following year Walters came out to his bandmates about his state and started going through professional therapy.[3]
The band went to Los Angeles to start recording the album with producer Mike Green, who's worked with other bands such as Pierce the Veil and Paramore, and collaborated to finish and write several songs in-studio.
Okay. is the band's final album to feature lead guitarist Andy Westhead.
Concept
It was stated several times during promotion of the album the main theme of the album is, "The idea that it's okay to not be okay" making a statement about mental health issues and the stigma surrounding them.[4] The concept of "faking a smile" is repeated several times throughout the album.
Songs on the album cover topics such as depression, anxiety, divorce, loss, and heartbreak.
The aesthetic for the album's promotion was heavily inspired by the 1950s, which was part of an intentional decision to contrast the happy bright sound with the darker and personal lyrical themes.[citation needed]
Style
With Mike Green in the studio, the band went for a more polished upbeat pop rock sound, more so than the more raw "emo" sound seen on some songs on Never Happy.[citation needed]
Release
The album was announced on 22 September 2016,[5] as well as revealing the album's artwork and track listing. In the same announcement, a music video was released for "Okay".[6] "Okay" was released as a single a day later.[7] On 14 October, a 1950s-themed music video was released for "Pretty Little Distance",[8] and the song was released as a single.[9] Okay. was released on 20 January 2017.[5]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Pretty Little Distance" | 3:11 |
| 2. | "Okay" | 3:36 |
| 3. | "Hey Rachel" | 3:00 |
| 4. | "Patchwork Love" | 3:40 |
| 5. | "Curtains Close" | 3:05 |
| 6. | "No Way Out" | 3:17 |
| 7. | "Soap" | 3:42 |
| 8. | "Austen" | 3:00 |
| 9. | "Until I Return" | 3:33 |
| 10. | "The Coast Is Where Home Is" | 3:16 |
| 11. | "Still Remembering" | 3:16 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 12. | "Hey Rachel" (jukebox edition) |
Personnel
- Patty Walters – lead vocals, acoustic guitar
- Andy Westhead – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Ben Langford-Biss – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, co-lead vocals
- Alistair Testo – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Patrick Foley – drums, percussion
Charts
| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[11] | 96 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[12] | 47 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[13] | 48 |
References
- ^ Lay, Nathaniel (January 10, 2017). "Album Review: As It Is - 'Okay.'". New Noise Magazine. Archived from the original on January 20, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
- ^ https://www.allmusic.com/album/okay-mw0003004917
- ^ Fearless Records (2017-01-20), The Happy Co. Show, retrieved 2017-01-25
- ^ Walters, Patty (2017). okay. (Lyrics Booklet). Fearless Records. p. 4.
For too many, A stigma behind mental health still lives. With this message, we hope to take a step forward in eradicating this stigma.
- ^ a b Maggie, Dickman (22 September 2016). "As It Is announce new album, release new song—listen". Alternative Press. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
- ^ Biddulph, Andy (22 September 2016). "As It Is Unveil New Song + Album". Rock Sound. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
- ^ "Okay - Single by As It Is". iTunes. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
- ^ James (14 October 2016). "As It Is Reveal 1950s Themed Video". Kerrang!. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
- ^ "Pretty Little Distance - As It Is | Release Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 October 2016.
- ^ https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B01N43OYBN/
- ^ "ARIA CHART WATCH #405". auspOp. 28 January 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 January 2017.