REVIEW: Awksymoron – ‘Ollie’

With their eagerly-awaited debut EP ‘Ollie’, Brooklyn’s Awksymoron effortlessly lean into the soft glow of shoegaze-tinted pop, crafting a debut that perfectly elevates their direction to date. Built on gentle dynamics and washed-out tones, the six-track EP is a hazy ride through reflective moods and melodic bliss, a perfect companion for those moments when the world feels just a little too loud.

What truly sets this release apart is the luminous voice of lead singer Athena Matsil. Her delivery is all subtle ache and airy calm, floating above the band’s understated instrumentals with a kind of weightless honesty. There’s an ethereal confidence in her tone that elevates even the most understated arrangements into something quietly breathtaking.

Right from the mellow pulse of opener ‘All Bets Are Off’, the EP flows as an intimate, cinematic, and deeply reflective composition. Guitar lines shimmer, the percussion is tastefully restrained, and basslines provide just enough lift to keep everything afloat without ever disrupting the dream.

Awksymoron’s greatest strength lie in restraint as they never push too hard or try to fill every space. Instead, they trust the stillness, letting textures unfold slowly and allowing emotion to rise in its own time. On ‘Ollie’, Awksymoron deliver a soft, slow-burning triumph, hinting at a band with a clear voice and the vision to match.