Musical Thesis: Owen "Ghost Town"
At the center of every album is a musical thesis. For Owen and their album, “Ghost Town,” that thesis is focused on a subdued reflection. By nature, most works of art are based on introspection. Putting your emotions and views to paper and then a song is something that makes the work of the singer-songwriter so mesmerizing to me. With this album, Owen places a collective heart on their sleeves and encourages us to saunter by and look. As we do, art finds a way to relate itself to our own personal challenges.
Next, this album reveals one of the great challenges associated with adulthood; learning the choosing of teams never really stops. Middle school, gym class, all the boys standing on an imaginary line, team captains separating the strong from the weak, your first introduction to the survival of the fittest. This doesn’t end with grade school. Clubs in college, dating, job interviews, promotions, etc., they are all just different forms of choosing teams.
After some reflection, this album finally asks you, the listener, to dip your toes in the water. I have said it before and I will say it again. We spend a lot of time focused on the past and future, but we give little thought to the moment we are standing in right now. This is a shame because right now is all that we can control and all that is promised. So, by all means, reflect but don’t be trapped in thought. Rather, get out there and experience some of the world. I promise what ails you can be cured just by choosing to live your life.
Be good to each other,
-Nathan
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