Cory Mon, Olly Olly Oxen Free
In his 2024 album You Don’t Own Me, Cory Mon touched on themes of healing after very hard times. It led people to call him and ask, “Hey, are you okay?” Things are the opposite with his newest album, Olly Olly Oxen Free. This 10th album in Mon’s library focuses on a return to joy, playfulness and creating for the sake of creating.
Inspired by the childhood phrase shouted at the end of a game of hide-and-seek, the album channels a sense of freedom, nostalgia and rediscovery. The album dropped at the beginning of May with a release show featuring singer/songwriter Sean Hayes.
“This album feels like both a return to all things that made me happy as a child and a personal breakthrough,” Mon said. “Releasing it in Salt Lake, surrounded by the community that’s supported me over the years—and sharing the stage with my musical hero and good friend Sean—makes this moment especially meaningful.”
One of the best things about Mon and his band is that they are unapologetically themselves. Their personality shines not only through their music, but also on stage. Mon and company joke that their shows are “60% great music and 40% bad comedy.” The band’s humor and spontaneity create an atmosphere where audiences feel less like spectators and more like part of the inner circle.
While listening to Olly Olly Oxen Free, one can almost picture the movements the band members would be making, because the sound is so free, fluid and unique. They have a blues/rock/funk vibe that’s infectious and pulls you in. “219” leans heavily on the funk vibes with electric guitar effects and cadence. “She-Chakra” features Hayes, showcasing their natural chemistry. Mon has done his fair share of touring with Hayes, so it’s no wonder this track sounds so natural. Their styles meld perfectly, elevated further by their experience together.
The album is chill and mellow, but musically intricate. Before you know it, the 16 songs are over, and one wonders where the time went. There are plenty of standouts on the album, including the one with Hayes, but another noteworthy track is “A Song About Steve’s Murder Down By the River.” It tells the story of poor Steve, who meets his end, but in a groovy and gritty way. There’s still the guitar funk, but then the harmonica comes in, adding a whole new layer to the song.
If you’re in the mood for something steady, funky, entertaining and just plain fun, Olly Olly Oxen Free should be added to your library.
Courtesy Photo
Chalk, Be A Part
Just in time for their Kilby Block Party debut, four-piece rock group Chalk released their latest album Be A Part. They helped kick the day off at KBP on Saturday, May 16 with the album releasing the day before—definitely a great start to the summer season.
While the band has been around for a while, the latest lineup has only been together since 2024, so this is a super-fresh take for the group. Band members Skyler Bush (guitar/vocals), Jeremy Devine (guitar/vocals), Sally Yoo (bass/vocals) and Bret Meisenbach (drums) have come together to create some excellent musical fusion.
Chalk brings a satisfyingly fuzzy alt/rock sound and an interesting “whoever writes it, sings it” ethos, offering some great variety and uniqueness in this new album. (That’s not to say having a lone vocalist is boring, but it’s fun to mix it up once in a while.) Inspired by the likes of Yo La Tengo, The Breeders, Dinosaur Jr and Pavement, the band creates its own satisfying version of alt/rock.
Chalk excels in steady rock rhythm, but can definitely solo when the occasion calls for it. They also incorporate some punk sensibilities in their sound, like on their track “Flail.” The song starts out fast and loud, like any punk track should, but steadies throughout while still showcasing that alt/rock feel.
Lyrically, a track that stands out on the album is “Penny Century,” which takes a look at the world and how quickly things change, and how young folks have no idea what they’re in for as they grow up. “Born at the start of a century / My, how I cannot wait for you to grow,” Yoo sings in the chorus. I like the last verse the best, with Yoo singing, “Little boy called me mother dear / I had to run from that face / Well, will my babies bring a book to show and tell / Turn the pages to be held and smelled / Will they touch anything other than titanium and grass? / Will we be a floating brain dreaming of the past?”
Though the band has their “whoever writes it, sings it” rule, they experimented a lot with harmonies and duets on the album, adding another layer of freshness as one listens through. Tracks like “Leech” showcase such duets and harmonies, allowing members to shine individually, while still melding together perfectly as a group. If you’re an alt/rock fan, Chalk’s Be A Part absolutely needs to be added to your rotation.
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