SINGLE REVIEW: Meno Air ft. Luke Aylward - O.C.D. (Millenia)
Meno Air’s ‘O.C.D. (Millenia)’ is a raw and heartfelt debut from Tom Baker, a Bristol plumber stepping into the music world with the help of his friend Luke, a guitar teacher from Stroud. By his own admission, Tom isn’t particularly tech-savvy, but that only adds to the unpolished charm of this DIY creation. From its ambient, atmospheric intro to its distorted, textured vocals, the track feels unrefined in the best possible way. Tom’s slightly off-key, semi-spoken delivery might not suit everyone, but it’s precisely this rawness that makes it captivating and relatable, letting the imperfections shine as part of the song’s authenticity.
Musically, the track is an intriguing blend of influences. At its core, it carries a relaxed, downtempo dance beat propelled by strong synths, but it’s also laced with rocky elements and waves of experimental noise rock. At times, it veers into laid-back, Ibiza-style chill-out territory, creating a layered soundscape that’s as eclectic as it is engaging. The production has a lo-fi edge, but instead of detracting from the track, it only adds to its charm, amplifying the emotional resonance of the music.
Lyrically, ‘O.C.D. (Millenia)’ is an open and honest account of Tom’s struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder. His reflections on the long-term suffering and debilitating nature of the condition, including the moments when getting out of bed feels impossible, lend a deeply personal and poignant quality to the song. It’s an emotional journey, made even more powerful by the sincerity in Tom’s delivery.
While the track isn’t flawless—some elements feel a bit rough around the edges—it’s these imperfections that make it stand out. It’s raw, unfiltered, and refreshingly genuine, bringing a genre I might typically shy away from into a whole new light. My advice for Tom? Keep going. Keep making music that’s honest, authentic, and unapologetically you. I’m confident Meno Air will carve out a dedicated fanbase for this kind of heartfelt creativity.
