Omer Netzer “Omer” (EP)

Omer Netzer isn’t just a country artist in Nashville, TN, he’s an Israeli, which isn’t the only twist he brings to country music with a story to go with it. This is an artist that loses himself in his art, and the outcome is one hundred percent authentic. The songs his self-titled EP Omer reflect that of an all-around musician with a strong country feel with just as much rock and blues to blend with it and produce memorable songs with a bit of everything. One thing I can say is these songs are without flaw, regardless of what genre they ultimately fit into.

URL: https://www.omernetzer.com/

Kicking the Omer EP off with “Mr. Know It All” gets the most humorous part out of the way, with a radio bumper style opener, which could mislead the listener for thinking it’s a comedic song, but it quickly goes to show otherwise about it and the artist, Omer Netzer, himself, and this is a good thing at the outset. It turns out he is a seriously good artist, which you pick up on in no time after the intro subsides and a genuine song comes out of it, and you’re eventually satisfied and wanting more.

While the opener shows Netzer is a country artist, but the assortment of influences starts to show on “Midnight Blue” with a particularly bluesy performance in every way, taking him from a swinging blues rock ballad to a second to none country and singer/songwriter wrapped into one. This is where things get serious for the most part on the Omer release, with what is probably the most accessible track at the end of the day, with most of them contending for the same. The sheer songwriting and playing is world class, and there’s a video on YouTube to go with this song.

“Know This Place No More” is a switch back to more of a straightforward country song by Netzer, but it’s worth a mention the easy listening qualities it contains, which is more of a radio-friendly thing, even though it also crosses over to bluegrass with some nice banjo parts. The combination of the former and “A Father’s Love” contrast well together, with a song that goes even further into the singer/songwriter style of Netzer, with a strong storyline. If I were to place an influence on this song it would have to be Dan Fogelberg, and that is a compliment to say the least.

APPLE MUSIC: https://music.apple.com/in/album/omer-ep/1843161090

The track list on Omer gets better as it goes, with “Promised Land” rocking it up in the purest country form, containing cool riffs and more undeniably great lyrics from Netzer’s book of words you just want more of once you hear. By now you’re hooked and ready for more with only one track left to go. But Netzer delivers on the last track “Low High” with a smash hit worth waiting for on this typical love tale with a contagious chorus taking modern country back to its roots, including the female backing vocals.

Mark Druery