The Only’s is the creation of multi-instrumentalist, composer and song-writer Mark Poseler, who began playing music at a very early age. His eponymous debut album has been engineered, produced and recorded by Mark himself, in the outskirts of Toledo, Ohio. The Only’s borrow from the vast vernacular of contemporary music in order to create a unique, direct and personal sound with lots of textures.
The Only’s debut album will be a ‘massive’ affair, judging by its promised 17 tracks. In the meantime we caught a preview of 6 tracks that make up the self-titled album. Think of all the possible stereotypes that come along with pop, punk, rock, indie, rap, alternative, lo-fi dream pop, shoegaze, etc. and etc. Think of all the bands and artists you know that fit these genre/labels. Now forget them all. I present to you the ultimate cross-genre project, The Only’s, who has a distinct sound that is almost impossible to accurately define.
The Only’s serve the public something practically unheard of these days: originality. Absolutely insane melodies, quant but catchy vocals, and obviously heartfelt lyrics run a rampage throughout these songs, which have a warm, organic, and layered sounding production. Intensely emotional, the songs contrast loud, powerful choruses with emotional verses. The first three songs – “Sing For You”, “Bring Me Back” and “Shoes” are probably my favorites, although it’s incredibly hard to pick favorites here, though I do have a very spot soft for “Bike”, a Pink Floyd cover, taken from their “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn” (1967) album. Floyd just happen to be my all-time favorite band, and The Only’s do the original absolute justice, by adding a slight injection of modernity without losing the authentic feel of the original.
What sets this project apart and gives it that original feel is that the songs are incredibly melodic and light sounding, yet you know there is something deep going on behind the airy musical facades. It has a similar, almost sing-along catchiness that makes the group Train so damn popular. Yet at the same time, The Only’s is capable of laying down a dark sounding track like “Bad Clark” that would make Nick Drake proud.
The Only’s is a new type of alternative rock that crosses just about everything you have ever heard into a neat little package that you may not understand on the very first listen, but you’ll love it to bits just because it’s so different! Many bands and artists are content to focus on one emotion. For example hate is easier to feel then love or any other of the myriad of emotions we are capable of. Most bands choose to go the easy route and unleash 12 tracks of hell upon you. It’s an easy way to sell records. Mark Poseler and his The Only’s project show maturity well beyond this debut release, as he chooses to grasp the human spirit and mind, showing the listener what it is to burn with all the emotions and thoughts within our capacity. I felt this listening to only 6 tracks. Can you imagine what 17 tracks would be capable of achieving?
OFFICIAL LINKS: SOUNDCLOUD – TWITTER
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