Olexesh - UFOs überm Block

Between the 2019 opus Augen Husky and the following record Bratan of 2022, this body of work is distinguished by an architecture built around a fragile balance between individual performances and collective interventions. The opening track, "INTRO", launches the project without a vocal partner, laying the groundwork for a trajectory that will not again allow the artist to work entirely alone until the end of the record.

Intro: the solitary starting point before the arrival of the partners

The first side of the record opens with "INTRO", a purely solo track that serves as a buffer between the previous works and the collaborative deluge to come. This opening title sets the tone for a project that immediately opts for scale, giving way to individual verses before introducing the other voices into the conversation. This initial solitude makes it easier to perceive the contribution of the partners when they appear, rendering each intervention all the more marked by contrast with Olexesh's solo work.

The major collaborations anchor the project

The album quickly expands with the arrival of major collaborators who anchor the project within a specific musical ecosystem. On the track “BLOCK,” located in second place on the tracklist, the artist welcomes Joker Bra, adding an additional layer to the song’s sound. This partner’s contribution to this track changes the vocal dynamics of the album from the outset, confirming the collaborative ambition announced by the album’s title. A few tracks later, the track “INDOOR” welcomes Dardan, inviting the listener to hear a different version of the lead vocals thanks to this collaborator’s contribution. This presence on the track transforms the song’s sonic texture and marks an important step in the construction of the project. The collaboration with Nimo manifests itself on the track “BABUSCHKA,” where his voice joins that of Olexesh to enrich the arrangement. This intervention, located in the upper third of the main tracklist, attests to the continuity of the exchanges between the two artists since their earlier first encounter.

The nuclear and spatial axis: Tovaritch, Celo & Abdi, LX and Ezhel at the center of the project

At the heart of the album, the collaborations take on a more pronounced thematic dimension with partners who evoke specific worlds. The track "TSCHERNOBYL GENETIKA" features Tovaritch, whose presence is inseparable from the title and its unique soundscape. Further along in the sequence, the track "SKYLINE" receives contributions from Celo & Abdi, who bring their distinctive vocal style to this composition. The album continues to evolve with the arrival of LX on the track "KILL", offering an additional vocal contrast to the production.

Esther Graf seals the narrative cycle of the album

The end of the album is marked by a particularly distinct presence with Esther Graf on the track "WECK MICH AUF". Positioned at number 21 on the album, this closing track offers a different point of departure from the previous tracks thanks to her partner's voice. This final contribution, which closes the official tracklist, adds an additional dimension to the end of the project and seals the narrative cycle opened by "INTRO". The other tracks on the list, such as "300", "VOLLMOND", "GHETTO ROSE", "WER HAT STOFF", "AUDIO DE TOILETTE", "GRASS FLEX", "KALTES WASSER", "LILA", and "GELD", serve as transitions or breathing spaces between the major interventions.

Discographical positioning between Augen Husky (2019) and Bratan (2022)

The analysis of this sum allows us to place UFOs überm Block in the precise context of Olexesh's career. Released in 2021, this studio album sits exactly between two other major records: the previous edition Augen Husky from 2019 and the follow-up Bratan from 2022. The confirmed featured artists include Joker Bra, Dardan, Nimo, Tovaritch, Celo & Abdi, LX, Ezhel, and Esther Graf, each appearing only on the tracks where their name is explicitly listed.

Technical specifications

- Release date: September 30, 2021 - Label: 385ideal - Tracks: 21 - Opening/closing track: INTRO / WECK MICH AUF - Guests: Joker Bra, Dardan, Nimo, Tovaritch, Celo & Abdi, LX, Ezhel, Esther Graf - Previous album: Augen Husky (2019)