Brooklyn-based Gibbz, known by day as Mike Gibney, had quite the year. 2016 brought the release of a fully backed Kickstarter campaign that funded the release of his debut LP, the ten-track album Above Water in spring 2016. But that wasn’t the only musical accomplishment the Long Island based New Yorker achieved. Following the release of Above Water, Gibbz dropped his EP Oh My God, five tracks that ebb and flow between toe tapping dance sounds and down tempo Sinatra-esque serenades.
Released in the months following his full-length album, Gibbz’s talent shines through with an ability to channel multiple genres and several decades across Oh My God. The first track of the album, “Bright Lights” radiates Kraftwerk, circa their 1974 release Autobahn with subtle synth lines and drum machine driven rhythms that you can groove to.
Gibbz’s EP title track is reminiscent of Sam Smith’s “I’m Not The Only One”, with its laid-back crooner vibes as is the last track, “24/7”. The third track “Keep Dancing” returns to the synth sound that echoes Passion Pit’s 2012 album Gossamer while “No More” channels the Prince of Pop, Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”.
Throughout the EP, Gibbz’s roots shine through. The influence of iconic pop legends takes a backseat as Gibbz pioneers his own unique sound that will undoubtedly grow in the months and years to come.
Rating: 8.0/10
