OU (band)

OU
OriginBeijing, China
GenresProgressive metal[1]
Progressive rock[2]
Years active2021–present
LabelsInsideOut Music
MembersLynn Wu
Zhang Jing
Chris Cui
Anthony Vanacore

OU (pronounced oh) is a progressive metal band from Beijing, China, consisting of singer Lynn Wu, guitarist Zhang Jing, bassist Chris Cui, and drummer Anthony Vanacore. Their most recent album, II: Frailty, was released in April 2024.[3]

History

[edit]

OU was formed by drummer and primary songwriter Anthony Vanacore, an American ex-pat who is fluent in Mandarin and originally moved to Beijing to work as a music teacher.[4][5] Vanacore recruited guitarist Zhang Jing and bassist Chris Cui, both veterans of the local rock and jazz music community in Beijing, and later added singer Lynn Wu.[6] The band lists Devin Townsend, The Gathering, and Radiohead as primary influences.[7]

The band signed with the German label InsideOut Music before ever playing live.[8] They are reportedly the first Chinese rock band to sign with a western record label.[6] The head of InsideOut, Thomas Waber, described OU as "Very unique and modern, but still familiar sounding, a rare find these days!"[9] InsideOut released the band's debut album One in May 2022.[2][10] Lynn Wu gained notice from critics due to her completely Mandarin lyrics and experimental style; several reviewers have compared her singing to Bjork and Kate Bush.[11][12][13] The album was also praised for mixing the band's primary progressive metal sound with jazz, electronica, and ambient styles.[6][14]

OU gained the attention of labelmate Devin Townsend, who signed on to co-produce their second album.[7][1] The album II: Frailty was released in April 2024, with Townsend contributing backing vocals on the song "Purge".[14][15] Lynn Wu again earned praise from critics, with one reviewer describing her performance on the album as " tak[ing] it somewhere stranger and more unsettling".[1] Another reviewer praised II: Frailty because "it’s effortless to fall prey to the polyrhythmic hypnosis that OU has mastered,"[14] while The Prog Report called the album "one of the year’s most unique releases."[3] Loudwire praised the album as one of the best progressive metal releases of 2024.[16]

Members

[edit]
  • Lynn Wu – vocals
  • Zhang Jing – guitar
  • Chris Cui – bass
  • Anthony Vanacore – drums, programming

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
  • One (2022)
  • II: Frailty (2024)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Everley, Dave (25 April 2024). ""OU frequently sound like they've beamed in from the 25th century." Devin Townsend-approved Chinese metallers OU take prog metal into strange new worlds on II: Frailty". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b Ewing, Jerry (14 March 2022). "Chinese prog rockers OU release teaser for upcoming album "one"". Prog. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b ProgReport (2024-04-22). "OU - 蘇醒 II: Frailty (Album Review)". The Prog Report. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  4. ^ Whisperer, Dolphin (2022-05-05). "Ou - one Review". Angry Metal Guy. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  5. ^ "Lingüa Brütallica - Episode 28: Lynn Wu and Anthony Vanacore of Ou (Beijing, China) | Lingua Brutallica". Lingua Brutallica. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  6. ^ a b c "CD Review – OU – One". Spirit of Progressive Rock. 2022-06-01. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  7. ^ a b "China's OU Release "Dark" Music Video; DEVIN TOWNSEND To Produce New Album". BraveWords. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  8. ^ Ewing, Jerry (2023-02-20). "Chinese proggers OU share video for latest single Dark 暗". Prog. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  9. ^ Ewing, Jerry (2022-02-28). "Chinese prog rockers OU sign to InsideOut Music". Prog. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  10. ^ "Progressive Metal Band Ou Sign to Inside Out Music [China]". Unite Asia. 2022-03-01. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  11. ^ Shelton, Connor (2022-05-17). "OU - one (Album Review)". The Prog Report. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  12. ^ McCarthy, Laura (2022-05-05). "ALBUM REVIEW: One - OU". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  13. ^ "Ou – One CD Review | SonicAbuse". 2022-05-29. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  14. ^ a b c Whisperer, Dolphin (2024-04-26). "OU - 蘇醒 II: Frailty Review". Angry Metal Guy. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  15. ^ Ewing, Jerry (2024-03-04). "Chinese prog metallers OU return with second abum 蘇醒 II: Frailty". Prog. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  16. ^ Blum, Jordan (2024-12-05). "11 Best Progressive Metal Albums of 2024". Loudwire. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
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