For his third original release of the year, dance pop standout OTR is teaming up with Jarrah McCleary’s Sydney-based synthpop group Panama for “Drive,” out now via Astralwerks. “Drive” is elegant and complex, firmly establishing OTR as one of the most introspective and forward-thinking producers around. It’s OTR at his deepest, combining his emotive, thought-provoking style with the comfort and simplicity of heartfelt lyricism. With delicacy and grace, OTR has breathed fresh air into dance music with an emphasis on being and feeling, rather than just listening. Radiating new dimensions of sensitivity and eloquence, OTR’s foray into a new sound is daring and gracefully accomplished, a patent embrace of vulnerable artistry that speaks to his story to date.
OTR - BLISS FT. ASHLEY LEONE
Music, Original MixCommentWe first introduced you to Cincinnati-based producer OTR last year with his awe-inspiring first original Already Gone (feat. Kelsie Rimmer) which has gone on to amass over 700k plays on Spotify. Official remixes he’s done for Petit Biscuit (“Sunset Lover”), Blondage (“Stoned”), and Mickey Valen (“Meet Me”) have all surpassed the 1M stream milestone. There’s no doubt this former aerospace engineer has found his calling with music production. His creations exhibit a compelling array of organic and electronic sonic elements arranged in a mathematical yet feels-inducing manner.
His latest opus “Bliss”, with little-known but very talented vocalist Ashley Leone, demonstrates further his ability to craft an intricate and colorful soundscape. Reminiscent of a Hailey Steinfeld x Zedd track with more lush ODESZA-esque production, “Bliss” is exactly as it’s title suggests. Gorgeous songwriting and production come together to create a song that you can’t help but want to listen to over and over.
OTR - ALREADY GONE (FEAT. KELSIE RIMMER)
MusicCommentToday I’m stoked to introduce you to a new rising talent who goes by the name of OTR. He’s a Cincinnati-based producer who first came onto the scene earlier this year with an epic chill remix of one of my favorite tracks from last year, “Meet Me” by Mickey Valen featuring Noé, which came from Trap Nation’s Lowly Palace imprint.
He’s wasted no time, now delivering his debut original single “Already Gone” which is MASSIVE and features the gorgeous vocals of The Voice Australia contestant Kelsie Rimmer. The track starts with a gently building drums, piano and synths and Rimmer’s hauntingly sincere lyrics before exploding with a powerful drop rife with dense chords and a hooky-as-hell synth line. The dynamic interplay between the mellow moments of the song and the high-energy drops makes it really stand out as a strong release that’s sure to put OTR on everyone’s map as a producer to watch.
