Hour of the Ox explained

Hour of the Ox
Type:studio
Artist:Katie Kim
Cover:Hour of the Ox.jpg
Released:9 September 2022
Studio:
  • Guerrilla Studios, Dublin
  • Field recordings from New York, NY and Faithlegg, County Waterford
Genre:Indie folk, alternative rock, lo-fi, experimental
Label:I Actually Like Music
Producer:Katie Kim, John ‘Spud’ Murphy
Prev Title:Salt
Prev Year:2016

Hour of the Ox is the fourth studio album by Irish singer and musician Katie Kim. It was released on 9 September 2022 on her own label, I Actually Like Music.[1] Hour of the Ox was partially recorded at the artist's home and in Guerrilla Studios, Dublin with John ‘Spud’ Murphy. Additional field recordings were made in New York and Faithlegg, County Waterford. Hour of the Ox was released self-released on vinyl and via digital download.

Track listing

All songs written by Katie Kim. All songs were arranged by Katie Kim & John ‘Spud’ Murphy, except 'Into Which the Worm Falls' arranged by John 'Spud' Murphy.

Side one

  1. "Mona" – 5.02
  2. "Eraser" – 4.56
  3. "Feeding on the Metals" – 4.25
  4. "Helen (Carry the Load)" – 1.16

Side two

  1. "Gentle Little Bird" – 7.00
  2. "Into Which the Worm Falls" – 3.13
  3. "Golden Circles" – 4.50
  4. "I See Old Joy" – 2.02
  5. "Really Far" – 4.16

Personnel

Reception

Hour of the Ox received a positive reception. Amanda Farrah of The Quietus wrote "Katie Kim’s Hour of the Ox is filled with wild vacillations in the densities of the songs, sometimes within the songs."[2] Georgia Howlett of The Upcoming, who gave it four out of five stars and described it as "haunted yet decadent".[3] Siobhán Kane of The Irish Times also gave it four out of five stars, describing it as "resonant, evocative, and atmospheric".[4] Writing for Hot Press, Will Russell called the album "an exquisite album that demands exploration".[5] Malvika Paddin of Earmilk called the album "a luscious collection of music built upon an expansive and orchestral bed of strings, synths and minimalistic drum beats."[6] Stephen White of The Last Mixed Tape opined that "Much like Cage’s arctic sonic explorations, Kim’s journeys far from the crowd in Hour Of The Ox yields the same fascination, and are essential to the diverse tapestry of Irish music."[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hour of the Ox, by Katie Kim. 10 September 2022.
  2. Web site: Katie Kim HOUR OF THE OX. Amanda. Farrah. 9 September 2022. The Quietus.
  3. Web site: Katie Kim – Hour of the Ox. The Upcoming. Howlett. Georgia. September 6, 2022. October 5, 2022.
  4. News: Hour of the Ox review: Katie Kim offers light and darkness. The Irish Times. Kane. Siobhán. September 9, 2022. October 5, 2022.
  5. Web site: Album Review: Kate Kim - Hour of the Ox. Will. Russell. 9 September 2022. Hot Press.
  6. Web site: Katie Kim delivers cinematic album 'Hour Of The Ox'. Malvika. Paddin. 29 September 2022.
  7. Web site: "A postcard from the edge" Katie Kim – Hour Of The Ox. Stephen. White. The Last Mixed Tape. 7 September 2022.