With new artists and bands arriving from all parts of the globe almost daily, the contemporary music scene might sound oversaturated to some listeners, often offering the same old, bland, boring, predictable, repetitious music that usually forces consumers to eventually change their interest and switch genres over time. Sadly, many of these musicians are choosing an already proven formula by reinventing the same old wheel by overly exploring their influences, mimicking their favorite artists, or bringing music that will immediately resonate with a particular group of listeners. Thankfully, there are still artists willing to break the rules and shapeshift the boundaries, take a deep dive into experimentations, and bring high quality music to the table. Tamar Berk is one of those singer-songwriters who always sounds fresh, unique, innovative, and exciting. With “ocd,” her latest album released today on vinyl and all streaming platforms, she proves that rock music has still so much to offer if the artist knows how to write, compose, arrange, and produce songs that will immediately resonate with the broader audience. And Tamar Berk unquestionably knows how to implement all those elements, details, hidden gems, and tiny nuances in her music, rewarding all those repeated listens. Sonically, Tamar Berk is known for her deep explorations and experimentations of various aesthetics, approaches, techniques, and styles, all in order to deliver a luxurious atmosphere that suits the lyrical content. Therefore, her music always carries several different yet complementary music genres, constructing a complex yet easy-listening atmosphere.
Perhaps alternative rock could be an easy answer, but there are a lot of things going on throughout the album. You’ll definitely notice how all those elements borrowed from shoegaze, grunge, synth rock, indie rock, indie pop, dream pop, bedroom pop, and alternative pop found their way into this sonic equation, making “ocd” such a profoundly detailed material suitable for even the pickiest listeners. She uses all these additional sonic ingredients as more than necessary enhancements, accentuations, decorations, and other details to uplift her music to new heights while simultaneously remaining loyal to the primary sonic direction. It is also worth mentioning that each composition carries qualities that meet all the trends in contemporary music production, yet there’s a subtle touch of nostalgia lurking around and pulling the listener even deeper into Tamar Berk’s expansive sonic universe. Her music channels various eras at once: eighties indie rock, new wave, and synth rock, nineties alternative grunge, alternative, and indie, but it also leans towards early noughties and modern indie rock. This dedication to the craft is rarely heard or seen on the contemporary music scene nowadays. Therefore, these experimentations with various approaches, different techniques, and complementary styles resulted in a comprehensive collection of catchy, memorable, engaging songs that will not only appeal to the fans of the mentioned music genres but anyone who appreciates cleverly assembled and flawlessly performed music.
The best part about “ocd” is how it sets a different mood during every track, yet it operates as a cohesive whole. For example, “stay close by” delivers raw, gritty, abrasive, fuzzy shoegaze/grunge sounds, while the title track dives deep into modern indie aesthetics where calm, soothing, relaxing, ethereal leads, melodies, harmonies, and themes reign supreme. “you ruined this city for me” channels early nineties alternative rock sound a la The Breeders, “there are benefits to mixed emotions” resonates with the same aesthetics yet it’s a calmer composition empowered by synth leads during the choruses, “time zone” brings back those profoundly detailed instrumentations that immediatly evoke eighties new wave and synth rock music, and “any given weeknight” is a beautiful, meaningful ballad that continiously switches between retro and modern ambiance. Once again, “i had a dream i was lost in an auditorium” brings back that addictive, irresistible, hypnotic mid to late eighties new wave and indie rock sounds, heavily drenched in some classic pop. It’s such a beautiful song that vividly showcases Tamar Berk’s fascinating songwriting abilities. “indiesleaze 2025” is a straightforward nineties alternative composition, with all those elements that defined that era dominantly lurking around. It’s catchy, memorable, and it forces you to sing along the way. “my turn will come” is another beautiful ballad that calms things down and prepares listeners for “i’m in the day after,” a song that dives into eighties rock and new wave aesthetics even more. This style suits Tamar Berk so good that you’ll get the feeling like she performed this music decades ago, yet the modern production keeps her grounded in the present day. With its calm indie folk and acoustic pop-rock aesthetics, “tell me why” gradually prepares listeners for “ghost stories,” a closing track that continues in the same style yet gradually transforms in such a beautiful, dreamy pop-rock composition where Berk’s talent, creativity, skills, knowledge, and experience shine in the limelight. It’s such an adequate closure of such a perfect album.
From beginning to end, “ocd” resonates with some of the finest synth leads and themes, catchy chord progressions and powerful riffs, intricate basslines, and exceptional rhythmic sequences you’ll hear on the alternative rock scene. Tamar Berk poured heart and soul in to this material, delivering an album that will not only resonate with the fans of the mentioned music genres, but anyone who appreciates perfectly composed and expertly performed music. “ocd” is a modern alternative rock masterpiece heavily drenched in and eighties and nineties nostalgia, and because of that, it’s a comprehensive collection of catchy, memorable, hypnotic, addictive, irresistible songs that will stay with you for years. You should definitely check “ocd,” because it will instantly become a favorite album in your record collection. Head to Tamar Berk’s Bandcamp page for more information about ordering this gem on vinyl, or visit your favorite streaming platform if you enjoy your music digitally. Don’t miss it!
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