Mobile Orchestra
by Owl City
  • Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Jul 10, 2015
User Score
6.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 44 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 44
  3. Negative: 12 out of 44
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  1. SchroederRock
    Jul 25, 2015
    6
    A decent, if a bit out of place, release from Adam Young as Owl City. Young continues to thrive on charm and kid-like wit, but at times the fun and games come up a bit tiresome and rough (see the album opener with Aloe Blacc, a cut that sounds awkward given that Young and Blacc are not vocally compatible). Some collaborations work incredible, especially "Back Home" that brings in countryA decent, if a bit out of place, release from Adam Young as Owl City. Young continues to thrive on charm and kid-like wit, but at times the fun and games come up a bit tiresome and rough (see the album opener with Aloe Blacc, a cut that sounds awkward given that Young and Blacc are not vocally compatible). Some collaborations work incredible, especially "Back Home" that brings in country singer Jake Owens. Collabs or not, Young has talent to be a star but it seems like he's a bit lost in his attempt to grow and blossom as Owl City. Still, there's a chance he rights the ship entirely and blows us away with more of the stuff Fireflies came from.… Expand
  2. Keter_8
    Aug 2, 2015
    0
    It all went wrong with Midsummer Station. After I had listened to the whole album, my jaw dropped. "Was this really made by Adam Young?" was my reaction. I was expecting more of the unique and hard to pin down lyrics that I knew Owl City for. I wanted to hear more electronica style music from him. It made me feel as though someone grabbed hold of him and forced him to make anything but theIt all went wrong with Midsummer Station. After I had listened to the whole album, my jaw dropped. "Was this really made by Adam Young?" was my reaction. I was expecting more of the unique and hard to pin down lyrics that I knew Owl City for. I wanted to hear more electronica style music from him. It made me feel as though someone grabbed hold of him and forced him to make anything but the music he was known for.

    Ultraviolet seemed slightly hopeful, maybe Owl City got the message and was regrouping for a better album? I guess not, because then the Mobile Orchestra train wreck appeared. I want to remain hopeful that Adam can someday make another Ocean Eyes-like album, but I'm not holding my breath.

    Mobile Orchestra has to be the most confused album I've ever heard from Owl City. There's hardly any consistency in style from song to song, and the lyrics are bland and understandable. Owl City lyrics are not supposed to be like that. If you are a classical Owl City fan, don't bother with Mobile Orchestra, it will disappoint.

    There's fine line between chaos and clarity; Owl City used to be able to find that golden line and produced fantastic songs! Perhaps someday Adam will make a comeback after rediscovering that sweet spot? I certainly know he can, but it all boils down to if he wants to.    … Expand
  3. matthewn1999
    Jan 15, 2016
    6
    A very entertaining album, it still lacks the creativity of Owl City's earlier releases and falls flat in the same ways that its predecessor, the Midsummer Station, fell flat. Following the spectacular release of the Ultraviolet EP, it was definitely a little disappointing.
  4. AiAmano
    Jun 1, 2016
    4
    This album took everything away that i loved about Owl City. Midsummer Station was still really good in my opinion, it was dreamy, it was still kinda alternative most of the time. But this one kiled it. There are some nice cuts on this thing like I Found Love and Bird With A Broken Wing. They still bring somewhat of a Owl City vibe. The rest is either completely boring or has a sound thatThis album took everything away that i loved about Owl City. Midsummer Station was still really good in my opinion, it was dreamy, it was still kinda alternative most of the time. But this one kiled it. There are some nice cuts on this thing like I Found Love and Bird With A Broken Wing. They still bring somewhat of a Owl City vibe. The rest is either completely boring or has a sound that carries a 100% commercial purpose. I really dont know why. All Thing Bright And Beautiful is such a great record, Ocean Eyes was great as well. How do you jump from that sound to a such bland and commercial release. Big dissapointment, especially for me, but the album overall is nothing but a soulless pop album. Its still Owl City but that saves not much.… Expand
  5. stanley834
    Apr 20, 2017
    4
    Owl City's music used to be so good. His lyrics were full of creative and emotional imagination that are relatable in the state of daydreaming which are prominent in the first 3 albums. I noticed in The Midsummer Station and Ultraviolet EP that his quality has declined halfway. But now, it's all bland and no longer in the scene of indietronica, moving forward to mainstream electropop andOwl City's music used to be so good. His lyrics were full of creative and emotional imagination that are relatable in the state of daydreaming which are prominent in the first 3 albums. I noticed in The Midsummer Station and Ultraviolet EP that his quality has declined halfway. But now, it's all bland and no longer in the scene of indietronica, moving forward to mainstream electropop and EDM. I understand how Adam Young wants a change in his sound but I didn't expect to come out like this in Mobile Orchestra (my only favourite song is Thunderstruck). Although I don't carry any hate towards his change in style whilst retaining his electronica influence, Owl City is now dead to me.… Expand
  6. marie52
    Jul 15, 2015
    3
    As a huge Owl City fan, I'm disappointed with this new album in so many ways I can't even put it into words. I honestly never thought I would ever say this but I could barely listen to all of the songs from beginning to end. I literally had to skip every song, and I couldn't help but hope that the next one would be amazing so I wouldn't feel so bad.

    Before Mobile Orchestra I would never    As a huge Owl City fan, I'm disappointed with this new album in so many ways I can't even put it into words. I honestly never thought I would ever say this but I could barely listen to all of the songs from beginning to end. I literally had to skip every song, and I couldn't help but hope that the next one would be amazing so I wouldn't feel so bad.

    Before Mobile Orchestra I would never say anything like that, there was no "Oh wow I don't like this song at all" while I was listening to any of his songs, and I mean all of them, including the ones from his other projects. I'm so confused and upset because Adam Young is so talented, I truly can't understand what happened.

    To be honest, not all of the songs were actually bad. The gospel ones were the best, but the lyrics. -and before I say anything else: I respect that Adam is a religious person, even though I'm not. I have no interest in any religion, and I'm not the type of person who would say bad things about any religion or judge Adam or anyone for their beliefs - I just couldn't relate to the lyrics and It actually annoyed me, so unfortunately I couldn't listen to those songs either.

    I completely understand and accept that people change and that Adam Young has changed a lot. As an artist he will inevitably change his music all the time, just like he has done before. From Ocean Eyes to The Midsummer Station every track was different, but each one was still great you know?

    With all being said, what I feel about this album couldn't change what I feel about Adam Young at all, I still love him and admire him with all my heart. I honestly can't believe I've said all of this and I feel so bad, I'm literally gonna listen to Ocean Eyes now for 3 days straight, excuse me    … Expand
  7. BrainAndSoul
    Jul 24, 2015
    3
    Just point me at the moment when Adam stopped making fairytales for ears and started to do typical pop-food for 16-years girls. I need to travel back in that time to stop him.
  8. KZorroFuego
    Jul 27, 2015
    6
    On his 5th full length (overall, not including EP's sprinkled in between.), Adam Young, the voice and the mind behind Owl City seems to have lost his way, but is determined to find it again. More than a few publications have referenced the "twee pop" that he traffics in. Moreover, they have pointed to the fact that his 2012 effort "The Midsummer Station" pushed that style to the breakingOn his 5th full length (overall, not including EP's sprinkled in between.), Adam Young, the voice and the mind behind Owl City seems to have lost his way, but is determined to find it again. More than a few publications have referenced the "twee pop" that he traffics in. Moreover, they have pointed to the fact that his 2012 effort "The Midsummer Station" pushed that style to the breaking point. This is where I diverge from that thought. That disc did traffic in some of the wispy sentimental gestures that are Young's bread and butter, but it traded the balance between just enough growth and forward looking music, combined with some of that "twee pop" innocence. On "Mobile Orchestra" that trade is gone, and Young is trying too hard to push further ahead, and at times it works, but more often than not he feels uncomfortable in the new shoes he wears, and the strain is painfully obvious.

    Mobile Orchestra opens with a sung-to-the-rafters blast of EDM sugar as only Owl City (with help from Aloe Blacc) can do it. A made-for-graduation-party track, it is a bit overly simplistic, but gets by on that effervescent charm that makes you not care how simplistic it is because you're nodding your head anyways. The aforementioned troubles start not long after the thumps of the first track end. "I Found Love" feels torn between 2 purposes. Is it meant as a worship track? (As others we'll discuss here clearly are.) Or is it a love struck paean to a current or former romantic muse? It seems to tread a limbo between those 2 extremes and never really embraces either, which makes an otherwise well constructed track seem a bit directionless. "Thunderstruck" is equally stuck in this limbo, as it seems to be not in 2, but 3 separate positions - torn between the romantic muse, the worship track, and the twee pop of his past. "My Everything" steers the proceedings back into a more grounded position. On this track, Young blends the classic elements of a garden variety worship track with synthpop touches that are distinctly within his wheelhouse. It can come across a bit sappy at times, but if we're being honest about most of Owl City's output, some of his best work is dripping in sap. Not many can make a song sound good when that is the first thought the song inspires. Nevermind pulling it off when that musical style is fused to a worship song.

    Young's Christian faith is more proudly on display on this album, including later on with "You're Not Alone." When all his talk of fireflies and rainbows and candy coated fantasy lands get to be too much, or too tired, this is a neat and tidy place for him to go. It is something that is meaningful to him, and that clearly informs his passions as a person and as a musician, which results in much more genuine music coming out of that thought. Certainly more so than the Hanson featuring "Unbelievable" - which, to borrow another publication's riff on it, sounds like a buzzfeed list of the 90's set to music. It could play like a fun trip down memory lane, perhaps, but is too obvious and easy, and doesn't really feel like a track where much effort was put into it.

    Adam Young pulls off a more profound growth spurt with the album's uncharacteristically dark closer. "This Isn't The End" appeared earlier as a piece of the 4-track EP "Ultraviolet." Presented here, coming as it does at the back end of a set of largely upbeat tunes, it can come across a bit jarring. That said, it shows growth that is absent elsewhere. As Young quietly spins the story of a young girl coming to terms with her father's suicide, there is no doubt left - the twee songsmith who warbled about "Fireflies" just a few years back - that man has grown, and is willing to go deeper with his music's subject matter than he once did. How much of a gut punch it will be depends on the person, but it is to his credit that he is trying to stretch beyond his roots. While still a worthy album, the scattershot first half of this disc is enough to make the listener hope that he finds his balance again by the time album 6 rolls around.    … Expand
  9. blien16
    Sep 10, 2015
    3
    As much I like Owl City, this album is just horribly produced. Like The Midsummer Station, the whole album lacks originality and fails in an attempt to create a commercial pop album, which even the collaborations couldn't save. I am not against gospels, but it would've been better if he made a separate gospel album. The gospels clashed dismally with the pop tracks, creating a cacophonyAs much I like Owl City, this album is just horribly produced. Like The Midsummer Station, the whole album lacks originality and fails in an attempt to create a commercial pop album, which even the collaborations couldn't save. I am not against gospels, but it would've been better if he made a separate gospel album. The gospels clashed dismally with the pop tracks, creating a cacophony when the album is taken as a whole. Even the lyrics on some tracks, especially those with featured artists, are lazily written, not up to par with Young's usual work. The only element that saved the whole album is Young's heavenly voice, but that fails to cover up the horrid flaws evident in this poorly constructed album.… Expand
  10. JuneDominic
    Jul 12, 2015
    10
    Adam Young= PURE AWESOME SYNTHPOP. I loved every track especially This Isn't The End and Back Home. His collaborations are the best! This is a must-listen!
  11. cryhardhumor
    Jul 14, 2015
    9
    Owl City as come so far and matured. His last few albums felt a bit stale, so Mobile Orchestra is just the right mix of strong lyrics and awesome instrumentals that I've been waiting for
  12. WolfLambert
    Jul 12, 2015
    2
    I’ve never been the biggest Owl City fan — he is to me of the same kind as, for example, Passion Pit. Both have a few really strong tracks, but honestly, I can’t listen to an entire album of the sugary synthpop they produce, I feel like I’m going to get diabetes from it rather than enjoyment. Sitting through an Owl City album or a Passion Pit album to me is a few good tracks and then moreI’ve never been the biggest Owl City fan — he is to me of the same kind as, for example, Passion Pit. Both have a few really strong tracks, but honestly, I can’t listen to an entire album of the sugary synthpop they produce, I feel like I’m going to get diabetes from it rather than enjoyment. Sitting through an Owl City album or a Passion Pit album to me is a few good tracks and then more of the same, and more, and more, and even more. This is not the case with every single synthpop act (I really like Magic Man, they do something right) but definitely with many of them. The new Prides album which came out a few days ago is similar — I’m not going to review it, but my thoughts on it in one sentence: the last track is the best one but the rest is just so poppy I can’t really sit through it without getting bored and feeling an overwhelming urge to turn it off. I’ve also always found Adam Young’s Christian mentality to be a little too obvious in the music — I have nothing against Christian-themed music per se, I really like twenty one pilots’ new album, but it’s often so incredibly noticeable that it starts getting in the way.

    Owl City’s new album is something different, however. It’s a change stylistically — from synthpop with pop rock elements to something closer to the currently popular hybrid of EDM and dance-pop with some other things thrown in. Now let’s ask the most important question: does it hold up? Well…
    NO.

    I was not a huge fan of The Midsummer Station, but then again many of the tracks on there were forgettable rather than plainly atrocious. However, one minute in and I was already convinced that this is the worst Owl City release to date. Many of these songs are either boring or even not something I can keep listening to for its whole length of four minutes or less. I’ll just go ahead and say that the 30-second title track prelude thing the album starts with is the best track on this record, and that should say clearly enough what a disappointment this album is.

    The thing starts off properly with Verge, the lead single (“Hey, welcome to the album! Let’s start off with the lead single because it’s accessible!”) and a blatant EDM song featuring Aloe Blacc. First of all, the only reason Aloe Blacc is on here is for his name. He contributes absolutely nothing to the song and his vocal lines really remind me of what he does in Wake Me Up by Avicii, only in a much less entertaining way, it even feels like trying to capture some of Wake Me Up’s success again at which they absolutely failed if that was the case. And honestly, the rest of the album is that same recipe repeated to death. This Isn’t The End is probably the best proper song on here and that track was already released on his 2014 Ultraviolet EP. That is just laziness. In fact, three tracks on here have been on earlier releases, and his last proper album is from 2012. You have so much time and then you just come up with this!? Sorry, but this album just isn’t good at all. I’ll forget that this exists and hope that Adam Young returns to his roots a little and makes an album that is at least listenable.    … Expand
  13. Rohan_99
    Aug 15, 2015
    9
    I liked his wide range of collaborations with different artists
    of different genre in MO. Clearly, his taste of music in this
    album was completely new and magical though it lacked in some areas. Overall, Verge was an eye opening track to look out for, Back Home delivered us his love for country songs, Thunderstruck was an excellent EDM, Unbelievable wasn't good enough but still    I liked his wide range of collaborations with different artists
    of different genre in MO. Clearly, his taste of music in this
    album was completely new and magical though it lacked in
    some areas. Overall, Verge was an eye opening track to
    look out for, Back Home delivered us his love for country
    songs, Thunderstruck was an excellent EDM, Unbelievable
    wasn't good enough but still lyrically superb, Bird with a
    broken wing exhilarated me with the uptown pop-funk and
    Cant Live Without You was another good EDM. Overall, MO
    unleashes a new feel of music, something that Owl City had
    never done before. This album may well be the opening of a
    new era for Owl City    … Expand
  14. LeoDiCaprioFan
    Apr 26, 2016
    7
    Cheesy songs but not bad album. The songs like "Verge", "Thunderstruck and "Unbelievable" and "I Can't Live Without You" is really energizing. It was kinda a bit disappointing because some of the songs are disappointing but good album.
  15. robertpelle
    Dec 1, 2017
    1
    It's horrible. In the context in which I thoroughly enjoyed ocean eyes and atbab, I liked midsummer station to a degree but this album is awful. It doesn't sound a thing like the owl city I fell in love with in 2010 and it isn't even evolving or changing his sound, it's just very bland, lazy and sounds like most of the crap music nowadays. I cant get over the fact that he gave up on theIt's horrible. In the context in which I thoroughly enjoyed ocean eyes and atbab, I liked midsummer station to a degree but this album is awful. It doesn't sound a thing like the owl city I fell in love with in 2010 and it isn't even evolving or changing his sound, it's just very bland, lazy and sounds like most of the crap music nowadays. I cant get over the fact that he gave up on the weird, quirky lyrics he used to have for these new, unoriginal, repetitive crap. Disappointing.… Expand
  16. MacsMusic
    Jan 8, 2018
    6
    Mobile Orchestra is, believe it or not, Owl City's craziest, most surprising album yet. It's not because of the imaginative, star-struck, head-in-clouds lyrics Adam Young is famous for, it's because of MO's musical diversity. It features Pop, Electronic, Christian, and even Country in it's short run-time and track-list. Some of it works, some of it doesn't. "My Everything" feels incrediblyMobile Orchestra is, believe it or not, Owl City's craziest, most surprising album yet. It's not because of the imaginative, star-struck, head-in-clouds lyrics Adam Young is famous for, it's because of MO's musical diversity. It features Pop, Electronic, Christian, and even Country in it's short run-time and track-list. Some of it works, some of it doesn't. "My Everything" feels incredibly generic and unoriginal, but has good lyrics. "You're Not Alone" is the better of the two clearly Christian, songs with a great message, great vocals, and really likable music. "Verge" sounds cool at first, but gets old really fast. "Thunderstruck" has good music, but poor lyrics. "Unbelievable" is a really fun song, chalk full of references and completely devoid of anything profound.

    MO is rarely great, and way too often pretty meh.    … Expand
  17. clanky9
    Jun 14, 2021
    9
    this album is still great. There are a lot of great songs like cant live without ou aor bird with the broken wing. Overal its 9/10 for me

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. AllMusic
    Jul 20, 2015
    60
    Young still doesn't do darkness as well as light but Mobile Orchestra shows a willingness to grow and change that makes it the most complete portrait of Owl City's music yet.
    Read full review
  2. Boston Globe
    Jul 10, 2015
    50
    These carefully manicured, melodic songs are much too transparent and lightweight, though, to leave much of an impression.
    Read full review
  3. New York Daily News (Jim Faber)
    Jul 10, 2015
    40
    The artist widened his palette this time, bringing in the country singer Jake Owen on one track, and soul star Aloe Blacc on a song that aims to repeat the magic Blacc struck on Aviici’s “Wake Me Up.” Unfortunately, Young’s nerdy sensibility kills that.
    Read full review
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