By: Staff
Alejandra O’Leary's "Her Greatest Favorite Hits Playlist" comes from the love and request of fans!
This artist got so many requests from fans asking her to make a playlist of her personal favorite songs from across her catalog, so she picked 8 tracks that mean the world to her.
We decided to do an EP review on some of the songs of this collection and we’re calling it "Her Greatest Favorite Hits Playlist"—well, that’s what O'Leary named it!
We start off with “Owen,” and it begins with a gentle but captivating introduction, followed by the beautiful vocals of Alejandra O’Leary. It immediately invokes a sense of relaxation, and when we hear the lyrics, “Too much of a good thing will spoil your dream. That’s what you say,” we’re instantly intrigued by the meaning of the song. We definitely appreciate and love her unique vocal styling, cadence, and intonation. There’s a soaring breathiness to it, combined with power and control, allowing us to enjoy every word with complete clarity. When we get to the line, “You’re the reason everyone’s running away,” we know this story isn’t headed for a happy ending. Gentle drums beat in the background, with undertones of an old-style rock ‘n’ roll vibe, but there’s a fullness to the arrangement that pulls in a sense of orchestral balladry. It’s definitely not your typical soft rock pop.
What really stood out to us was the adorable lyric, “It’s Owen or it’s no one.” That’s such an awesome line, hitting home and reminding us of all those complicated past relationships we’ve experienced. We absolutely love this musical arrangement. It effortlessly shifts from soft rock to incorporating hints of the Beatles, mixed with some soft pipe music. The arrangement drops out and slows down at just the right moments, creating an exclusive and beautifully performed track that’s crystal clear and captivating.
Next up is “My Wonder,” an upbeat, catchy melody, and once again we’re treated to the wonderful vocal stylings of O’Leary. This one already gives off the vibe of a song you’d want to crack a beer to and hang with friends on a Friday night. It’s really exciting, and O’Leary leads us along the pacing perfectly, creating a sort of roller coaster experience, but with 100% control. This song has such an infectious melody that you could easily hit the dance floor to it. When the twinkling piano keys come in, topped off by O’Leary’s velvety vocal delivery, it’s a magical moment. We can see why fans were asking for this track. The synthesizer solo is another terrific moment in the arrangement. When it all drops out again, you just know the crowd will be singing along to, “I never was good at real truth-telling!” O’Leary has a fantastic presence. If we had to compare her to anyone, it’d be Sheryl Crow, though there’s definitely a more authentic rock feel to Alejandra O’Leary’s style (no shade Sheryl).
When we got to “Staying Behind,” we were greeted with a beautiful acoustic opening, but this was no ordinary performance. The gentle vocal effects placed on O’Leary’s voice were a perfect match for the song's mood. It starts with her vocals sounding like she’s on the phone, and then, when the song fully kicks in, it feels like she’s right there in the room with us, delivering the story firsthand. The instrumentation and supporting musical arrangement are terrific, and as it switches back and forth, we get a very dramatic and emotionally filled performance from O’Leary.
Lastly, we land on “Wires,” which carries a heavier, punk-infused sound. It’s got the feel of a live Nirvana performance, especially with the distorted electric guitars perfectly aligning with O’Leary’s vocals. The drums are more forward and punchy on this track, with some really great fills that add to the excitement. We were blown away by the performance during the chorus, especially with the bellowing and echoing guitars in the background. This was a terrific pairing, showcasing the range Alejandra O’Leary is capable of with so much talent. A fantastic job all around.
Alejandra O'Leary's top track "Owen" is a wistful yet forceful declaration of dependence, blending powerful emotion with a captivating musical arrangement. Written and performed by O’Leary, the track features Thom Canova and Mark Simonsen, adding to its depth. The song was recorded in Durham, North Carolina, in 2024, with cover art by Klaus Voormann.
In "Owen," O’Leary’s lyrics explore themes of emotional complexity, expressing vulnerability with lines like, "Too much of a good thing will spoil your dream." The melody has a soft rock foundation with hints of orchestral balladry, creating a captivating, layered sound that draws listeners in. The line “It’s Owen or it’s no one” captures the intensity of the song's emotional stakes, making it a stand-out lyric that resonates deeply.
You can find this playlist on Spotify and this artist on any major platform, see below for links to take you straight to some of the profiles. Make sure to playlist, stream, and share "Owen" and "Her Greatest Favorite Hits Playlist" by Alejandra O’Leary.
Quotes we found:
"Owen represents a "gravitational pull," drawing everything into its orbit and distorting reality—a metaphor for a relationship that’s both inescapable and destructive" (KIMU)
"a cinematic power pop track, featuring textured percussion and a resonant bassline that complements the weighty lyrical content" (York Calling)
Check out this latest release and listen to more of Alejandra O'Leary on Spotify & YouTube.
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