How a 38-piece orchestra transformed Weezer's sound into baroque-pop
In short: In 2021, Weezer released OK Human, an album that traded stadium rock for a lush, orchestral landscape. Recorded entirely with analogue equipment, this project marked a significant stylistic departure, blending rock instrumentation with a massive orchestra to create a singular, eccentric listening experience.
The creation of OK Human began as early as 2017, when Weezer decided to merge rock instrumentation with an orchestra. Producer Jake Sinclair played a pivotal role in this transformation, suggesting the use of a 38-piece orchestra and introducing frontman Rivers Cuomo to Harry Nilsson's 1970 album, Nilsson Sings Newman. This influence helped shape the album's baroque-pop sound, drawing comparisons to the Beach Boys' 1966 masterpiece Pet Sounds. This sonic shift was inspired by Harry Nilsson's work. The band's decision to use analogue gear helped achieve this specific aesthetic.
The production process was marked by shifting priorities and global delays. While Cuomo had recorded strings at Abbey Road Studios and estimated the album was 75% complete by May 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the band's original release schedule. Originally intended to follow their fourteenth album, Van Weezer, the band decided to prioritize completing OK Human first. The album was finally released on January 29, 2021, preceded by the single "All My Favorite Songs" on January 21. The band's plans changed after they were offered a spot on the Hella Mega Tour. This tour featured Green Day and Fall Out Boy during the summer of 2020.
Critical reception was largely positive, with Metacritic assigning a weighted average score of 75 out of 100. While some critics, such as those at Pitchfork and Entertainment Weekly, were more skeptical—with the latter suggesting the orchestra was used to provide emotional depth to awkward arrangements—others praised the work. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic noted it offered a unique experience unlike anything else in the band's catalog, while Aaron Mook of Chorus.fm called it a "left-field masterpiece." The record's title is a nod to Radiohead's 1997 release. Additionally, the album's artwork was created by illustrator Mattias Adolfsson.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: OK Human
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