Very few bands can stay true to their signature sound while evolving with the ever changing landscape of Top 40, thankfully, OneRepublic is one of those few bands.

Ryan Tedder and company take their sound to new heights with album number three, Native explores a shade of folk-rock and bluegrass POP that goes over very well. The boys manage to keep up with a trend in the current scene while refusing to sacrifice their signature hooks and infectious melodies, nothing forced here, just the organic listening experience we’ve come to expect from OneRepublic.

From the glorious stomping sounds of the albums opener “Counting Stars” to the beautifully orchestrated and hauntingly delicate atmosphere of “Au Revoir”, OneRepublic has crafted a solid and cohesive record. When Native wants you to feel good, its contagiously uplifting tunes make it happen yet when it wants you to feel emotionally fragile, the melancholic goodness pours down without disrupting the flow.

Check out the track by track breakdown and listen to my favorite song on the album below.

Native

Counting Stars – Western vibes shimmer with twinkling POP lights, a great way to open the album and set the mood.

If I Lose Myself – Big chorus! This anthem is currently exploding so not much needs to be said here.

Feel Again – The albums promo single which dropped last August serenades the listener with a throbbing hook, it’s hard not to bop your head along to this one.

What You Wanted – The production here is king, an effervescent glow envelopes the listener while taking you for a smooth cruise. This is easily a favorite, perhaps a single?

I Lived – A high spirited charmer, this song might take a few listens but you’ll dig it sooner or later.

Light It Up – One of the albums heavier moments, I’m not too crazy about the distorted vocals or the industrial rock-POP happenings here BUT the instrumental outro is rather gorgeous.

Can’t Stop – A slower moment but I appreciate the tracks melodies and its Leona Lewis-like flow, a bit above average filler material for me.

Au Revoir – Stunning in every way possible, one of my favorite moments on the album. You’ll want to soak in the nearly 5 minute beauty of this track repeatedly. Unfortunately, I don’t see them releasing this as a single.

Burning Bridges – Things pick up here, sounds like this could be a single but I don’t think it would be a huge hit.

Something I Need – From the moment it begins, the melody here is mighty familiar but it’s ok because it’s killer. I love this track, it should certainly receive single treatment.

Preacher – Words of wisdom come tumbling down in this appropriately titled track. It’s good but I hope this doesn’t get single release.

Don’t Look Down – This outro (for the regular album version) might only be 1:39 in length but it’s grand. Beautiful and moving, I love this piece.

Deluxe: Something’s Gotta Give –  My favorite tune on the album, I pray this somehow gets a single release even though it’s only available on the deluxe version. Gorgeous synth work, flawless vocals and harmonies and some of the albums best melodic work, the guys are all sorts of winning on this one.

Deluxe: Life In Color – This 80’s tinged rocker feels good to the soul, it’s brilliantly catchy and once it hooks you, it doesn’t let up.

Final Native album rating: 4/5 

All in all, Native feels like the older  brother to 2007’s Dreaming Out Loud and 2009’s Waking Up, certain to please fans of the band while picking up a few new ones along the way. Is it groundbreaking or game changing? No. Does it get the job done? Absolutely. Native serves its purpose and will more than hold us over with its singles and remixes until OneRepublic embarks on a new era.

Purchase Native on iTunes today or pick it up from a fine indie retailer near you.

Soak in the blissful melodies of “Somethings Gotta Give” below, enjoy!

One Republic – Somethings Gotta Give

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