An especially aptly named debut album, Human Safari finds Ora the Molecule running through a wilderness of sounds and feelings, following trailblazers and forging their own paths along the way. The band's blend of synthwave and arty pop is equally magical and digital, and they've got a knack for creating fantastical worlds within each of their songs. With its darkly throbbing synths, rippling percussion, and largely spoken-word vocals, "The Ball" immediately lets listeners know that this album is for fans of ionnalee, Niki and the Dove, Kate Bush, M83, and a host of other acts who have a flair for mystical storytelling. Like those artists, Ora the Molecule excel at combining theatricality with plenty of heart. "Creator," one of Human Safari's most Bush-like tracks, is a widescreen celebration of the creative force within everyone that feels like it could turn into a musical number at any moment (that's a compliment), and when the band breaks out a gong on the standout "Silence," it feels perfectly natural. Ora the Molecule delivers plenty of surprises like these on Human Safari. They stuff their songs with animated musical details to keep listeners constantly engaged, whether it's the flute and saxophone that add warmth to "Sugar"'s thoughts on greed, the tropical chromatic percussion of "Helicopter," the chunky synth groove of "Die to Be a Butterfly," or the forest nymph backing vocals that grace every track on the album. As Human Safari spans songs as introspective as "Shadow Twin" and as exuberant as "I Want to Be Like You" and "Beat Beat Beat," Ora the Molecule prove they already have the confidence to sit at the table with more-established avant-pop luminaries.
© Heather Phares /TiVo