When I talked to Omni’s Philip Frobos back in 2016, the bassist and singer informed me that when he and guitarist Frankie Broyles write, they rarely revise and prefer to stick with original ideas rather than labor over intricacies of songs. Fast-forward to 2018, and the band now have two LPs and a bunch of touring under their belt. But even if their songs have become slightly more expansive, the writing process has remained remarkably grounded in the immediate chemistry of the band. “Our songwriting process is pretty much the same,” Frobos explains. “We’re spending a bit more time on songs here and there… giving things a little more time to breathe.”
Their new track “Confessional,” the B-side of their upcoming 7″ on Chunklet Industries, illustrates these developments. At first listen, the track sounds as tightly-wound and frantic as anything the trio have ever released, but there’s a driving ’70s punk vibe beneath the band’s trademark circuital guitar riffs which lends the chorus more of an immediate impact. Additionally, Frobos’ vocal delivery is more conversational than staccato—a welcome development, and a good fit for a track which, like all good post-punk, dissects modern life.
Like their recent single “Sunset Preacher,” it’s easy to view “Confessional” through a spiritual lens, but Frobos says that the track concerns more mundane matters. “Frankie noticed it the other day, but it’s a total coincidence that the two songs have religious imagery in their titles,” he elaborates. “‘Confessional’ isn’t really in that context either. The song is mainly about how it’s easy to craft a perfect profile page identity and image for yourself but sometimes it gets so intense that becomes a bit mechanical/robotic. Obsessing over the idea of yourself rather than just being yourself. Don’t break character and let people know you’re human.”
Listen below.
Currently, Omni are on the road in the US (May 22 at 529, details to come) before they head over to the UK and Europe for the rest of the spring, including a slot at Primavera Sound. The band is already working on their third LP, but since they’ll be touring most of the year, don’t expect it to drop until 2019.
“Sunset Preacher” b/w “Confessional” is out Apr. 20.
More Info
Bandcamp: omniatl.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @omniatl
Instagram: @omnideluxe
SoundCloud: @omni-band
Twitter: @omniatl