The O’My’s have linked up with Alex Banin for a raw, undeniable sound unique to the iconic cultural hub in all its beauty. With the assist from Banin, singer-guitarist Maceo Vidal-Haymes and multi-instrumentalist Nick Hennessey grapple with close relationships and learn to let go on the soulful new single “Realistic,” out now via ADA / Warner Music Group.
Written within a period of isolation during the pandemic, “Realistic” is about personal growth stemming from deep and necessary introspection. Opening with gentle vocals from the crooners and soft descending chords on guitar, the song possesses an intimate and impactful sound that’s sure to resonate with anyone at odds with a past lover or friend. “Without you I’ve been changing,” they harmonize, “I’m better off without you.” It’s a blunt statement enveloped with endearing horns which offer both a sense of acceptance and comfort to listeners.
Nick Hennessey elaborates on the track, “Our session with Alex Banin was one of, if not the last, we had before the pandemic put a pause on all in person collaborations. It was our first time ever working together and the ideas started rolling in right off the jump. By the end of that evening we had most of the lyrics and chord structure all figured out and recorded. Over the next couple months Maceo and I continued to fill out the production and arrangement and tapped in Alfonzo Jones for drums and JP Floyd for trombone. I love the way this song grabs the listener from the first words and then takes them on an sonic and emotional journey.”
The new single follows their first release of 2021, fittingly entitled “Lonely.” The warm falsetto sung by Vidal-Haymes glides over a rich drum groove as tasteful brass instruments garnish the essence of the song. All these textures come together impeccably to embolden the duo’s message of community and compassion as Vidal-Haymes sings on the bridge, “You make me better than I ever was without you.” Vidal-Haymes states, “Lonely is not simply a love song but an affirmation of the healing and transformative power of relationships and love. During the pandemic we learned to depend on and make space for ourselves. The isolation allowed for us to take away distractions and hone in on our intentions and identity. By that same token, the pandemic’s isolation forced us to not only reflect on ourselves but also on those people in our lives that bring us love, strength and compassion.” He adds, “We hope listeners take away the understanding that we cannot make it in this world alone. The work of living a good life starts within but needs companionship and community to flourish.”
The new era of music first came to fruition in 2020. They would then spend the next year creating multiple productions for the song and with each rewrite Vidal-Haymes and Hennessey pushed their boundaries to the next level. Surviving through the pandemic with the power of music, the two challenged themselves with unfiltered artistic expressions that served as a savior. Vidal-Haymes says their new music “incorporates what we have learned as growing producers, writers, and men but at its core it’s what has always made The O’My’s.”
Their forthcoming project promises to reach new heights in light of the trials and tribulations throughout the last two years, bringing forward their refined sound of evocative soul music.
“A duo that resists genre, that can’t be easily defined…” — CHICAGO TRIBUNE
“…a wholly original sound of gently thumping grooves, falsetto vocals, and an engagingly minimal aesthetic.” — EARMILK
“…soulful…” — THE FADER
“The O’My’s’ serene and sticky sound is built around Vidal-Haymes’ falsetto vocals, which have drawn comparisons to everyone from Curtis Mayfield to TV On The Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe, and Hennessey’s tender keyboard / synth melodies.” — ROLLING STONE
About The O’My’s:
Channeling their experiences and perspective into soulful music, The O’My’s grabs listeners from the very first note. Made up of vocalist-guitarist Maceo Vidal-Haymes and classically trained instrumentalist Nick Hennessey, they have etched themselves into Chicago’s music scene through consistency and collaboration. Together they produce a rich tapestry of sound, pulling from a wide range of genres, decades and emotions, and have additionally linked up with a wealth of notable talent including Chance the Rapper, Noname, Saba, Ab-Soul, Pink Siifu, ZZ Ward, and Carter Lang (Omar Apollo, SZA).
Their 2018 full length album Tomorrow was formative to their launch and 2019’s EP Above Ground saw the band expanding on the sonics explored in its precursor. Ten years and tens of millions of streams later, The O’My’s have honed their one-of-a-kind sound while cultivating an impassioned fanbase and positive praise from media critics. To date, they’ve secured coverage from the likes of Billboard, Chicago Reader, Chicago Tribune, Complex, The FADER, Highsnobiety, Pitchfork, among others, and Rolling Stone dubbed them the ‘Artist[s] You Need To Know.’
On the new music, Vidal-Haymes states, “In this new chapter we have pushed ourselves and our sound. We opened and built our first studio which has allowed us the time and space to experiment, learn and reflect. These songs and the songs to come are born from this growth and ever expanding world. We are not an island unto ourselves. We are connected. Humanity as we know it is based on connection and communication and on this project we’ll examine just that.”
