“I’ve tried everything just to see if I could love,” sings Jade Lilitri of Oso Oso on his latest album, Life Till Bones, which consists of ten short but bold songs. This is my first encounter with the emotionally charged indie rockers, and the band’s songs have captivated me throughout with their vulnerability and catchiness. “I love you, but life is a weapon,” the album begins on “many ways.” It’s a theme that comes up several times, something you might not expect from an artist stoned through the recording studio..

But Oso Oso’s music is as profound as it is haunting. “I’m bleeding to death, you’re a shark / I’m just a dog with no bark.” Jade’s honesty and transparency is the flower that attracts the bees with its color and smell. “I have a lot to apologize for / oh Caroline, she can’t count on me.” Many of the songs are love songs or variations on the love theme. Like the touching “Seesaw,” an acoustic moment of reflection on the album written for his cousin and former guitarist Tavish Maloney, who passed away in 2021. It’s a song that deals with the balance his old friend brought to his life, like the playground equipment.

“I can’t be happy every day / I won’t always know what to say / And when I do, what are we committing to?” He has a knack for the piercing question, making his songs not only catchy but also extremely relatable. His voice is the sweet centerpiece, but the band’s unique guitars are just as satisfying. The album covers a lot in a short amount of time and begs for a repeat at the end – and you should have the time to get into it.

This was a real record and makes me want to listen to Oso Oso’s back catalogue. “I like your songs when the words get stuck in my head / I like your socks when they’re on the floor by my bed.” There are many lines on the album that will stay in your head long after you’ve finished. And the catchy vocals and guitars that give you that little something extra in your heart will surely stay with you too. A brilliant album from a band whose name I’ve known for many years but finally got to try out. It was a satisfying rock treat.

command Life to the bones HERE