Ookay is currently one of the only artists in the dance music space to completely reinvent his artistic direction. Bursting onto the trap scene around 3 years ago, Ookay‘s tracks have always been staples in bass sets.
While he was known for his larger-than-life trap edits, such as his remixes of “Lean On”, “Runaway”, and “You Make Me”, he always hinted that his musical journey was destined for far more than just festival bangers. When he released his Exit Series, fans got a taste of the other side of his production.
But, it wasn’t until the release of “Thief” that Ookay really honed in on his sound. Now he has followed up the hit with a 5-track body of work titled The Cocoon EP.
The Cocoon EP reflects Ookay‘s artistic maturity and shows the wide range of his production talent.
1) Back Again
The Cocoon EP opens with “Back Again”, his track dedicated to the late Big Makk. As a very close friend, Ookay originally released it on his secondary Soundcloud account as a tribute to the Orlando influencer. “Back Again” channels the heart-wrenching pain of losing someone close to you combined with the optimistic realization that your paths will cross again.
2) Long Time
The second track is “Long Time” and channels vocal-chop driven house vibes inspired by artists such as Chace, Moksi, and others. It is definitely the most groovy track on the record and marks Ookay‘s first step into this territory of house music.
3) New Jack Swing
“New Jack Swing” is the most energetic track on the record but has a very new feel to it (hence the title). It’s a strange yet powerful mix of electro, breakbeat, and trap that will definitely be played out live.
4) Sure
“Sure” is another track that will sound familiar to Ookay fans. At first, he used the instrumental for his unofficial remix of ZAYN‘s “Pillowtalk” but now turned it into an original, going for a late night R&B vibe that suits his vocal style.
5) Bring It Back
“Bring It Back” closes the EP utilizing his signature flute synth but in a completely new production environment, opting for a more melancholic tone similar to “Back Again”.
What makes this EP special is how personal it sounds. Similar to Porter Robinson‘s Worlds, Ookay takes advantage of his own singing voice, no features, and brings in emotional elements – it’s clear when a producer makes something from the heart.
While some questioned Ookay‘s artistic direction post-“Thief”, after hearing this EP, we are only more excited to hear what’s next for him.
