OneRepublic - Artificial Paradise [Gold]

OneRepublic's Artificial Paradise rolls years of hit singles and fresh material into one bright, polished set, pressed here on gold vinyl.

Released in 2024, the sixth studio album from Ryan Tedder's band was also their last under their long-running Interscope deal. Tedder has said it all began with "West Coast", a song first written back in 2016, and the record grew around a string of singles released in the years before it arrived, so it plays like a summary of a busy, chart-friendly era as much as a fresh statement.

The whistled hook of "I Ain't Worried", the breezy anthem that soundtracked a sun-soaked beach football scene in Top Gun: Maverick, makes it the obvious centerpiece. "Hurt" and the title track "Artificial Paradise" showcase Tedder's knack for a soaring chorus, and producers including Tedder and bandmate Brent Kutzle keep everything polished to a high shine.

Big hooks and crisp production carry the album from start to finish, with that elastic tenor delivering plenty of the uplift fans expect.

For listeners who have followed OneRepublic across the years, this is a satisfying snapshot of a band that has never lost its touch for an earworm, and the gold vinyl suits its sunny mood.