Houston band Orion 224 recently released their debut album “Take My Hand”. They have been a force to be reckoned with within the local scene, and this album further solidifies their reputation.
Take My Hand is an indie-pop album that gives off similar vibes to Sun Room, Weezer, and The Beach Boys. Majority of the songs are uplifting and fun, and are reminiscent of the late 2010’s indie pop movement. It is clear to see the growth in maturity and songwriting in this new album.
Some standout songs from this album are “Is This It?”, “Take My Hand”, and “Self-Obsessed”. Along with that, they have versions of their iconic songs “Strawberry Horchata”, “Everything Will Be Okay”, and “Violet Sunset”.
“Is This It?” specifically displays their growth as songwriters. Although the song starts off with a more somber tone, it shows how large their range is as artists, as they are able to quickly transition into a more pop punk feel. They are able to convey a deep sense of emotion within this song, and guide the audience through a captivating story within the song. The song overall feels like something reminiscent from the early 2000’s rock music scene with its strong bass line and various guitar techniques.
The last song on this album “Take My Hand” is more rock in feel, but is able to balance it out with its vocals. In this song, Chris Gonzalez, the main vocalist, is able to truly display his growth. He hits harder and higher notes, and sustains the song, making it a good addition to the album.
Lastly, “Self-Obsessed” is one of my favorite songs on the album because it brings a fun side to some of the darker themes within the album. This song is fun and lighthearted, but its lyrics tell a different story. This song seems to be well loved by the band, and it is clear that the contributors thought about it. It is creative and unique, and brings a refreshing feel to the rest of the album.
Lastly, Orion 224 re-recorded some of their past hits. Specifically, “Everything Will Be Okay” and “Strawberry Horchata” are some of the most streamed songs on the album with respectively over 209,000 streams and around 39,000 streams.
Overall, I would definitely give “Take My Hand” a listen and support the vibrant local music scene in Houston. Be sure to check out Orion 224 and their various local performances on their Instagram.
I am a student at University of Houston currently studying Strategic Communications. In my free time, I write for different publications as I am extremely passionate about music. I collect vinyls, go to concerts, and play guitar. Some of my favorite artists include Paramore, Kendrick Lamar, and Lorde. On the weekends I make pottery, sew, and spend time with my dog.
