The enigmatic artist has delivered his debut (and final) album.
Talking to MTV News’ Instagram page, US electro-pop artist Oliver Tree has announced he is retiring from music. The post was re-shared by him shortly after his debut album Ugly Is Beautiful hit streaming services, and is possibly one of the most un-shocking musician retirement announcements we’ve heard.
Not saying that we don’t believe him, but it certainly is the first time he’s floated quitting the music industry. In the past, he’s also demanded his fans comment thousands of times on his posts before he will release a video, only to then double that amount when the target is reached. For the most part, it’s only helped build the hype for his videos which often feature stunts, outrageous costumes and props, and mind-warbling camerawork, allowing them to generate the buzz they deserve.
If Ugly Is Beautiful is his swansong, it’s fair to say he owes his fans nothing, having provided more entertainment (and infectious music) in one album cycle than many artists generate throughout their entire career. Check out the track-by-track below and stay tuned for more Oliver Tree news… If there ever is any…
1. Me, Myself & I
This song is about being an outcast. People feel like they have to keep quiet in fear of saying something stupid. In my experience, I’d rather say some stupid things than never say anything at all.
1993 (ft. Little Ricky ZR3)
I made this song with an up and coming artist, Little Ricky ZR3. This guy is on an entire other level, he’s the only new musician I’ve been listening to. In a few years, I think he’s going to be the biggest artist on the planet! Follow him on Spotify for his debut mixtape coming later this year. This song is about growing up. I spent my whole life falling on my face but I never let it stop me. I had to experience many trials and tribulations in order to make the music on this album. It’s my first album and unfortunately it will also be my last.
Cash Machine
I spent the last 3 years touring the world and everything I own fits inside my fake Gucci carry-on suitcase. If you think you need money or material objects to be happy then I feel bad for you. We waste the best years of our life chasing after a bunch of stuff that we don’t actually need.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1vGosMScjM
Let Me Down
I wrote “Let Me Down” the day after I canceled my album due to coronavirus. Canceling the release was devastating to say the least. It’s important to understand that I’ve been writing and recording this album for 5 years. Even though the cancelation of the album was completely out of my control, I felt like I let a lot of people down so I made them this song as an apology.
Miracle Man
Don’t spend your life waiting around for a miracle. You gotta go out there and get your hands dirty and fall on your face a few thousand times. Not every miracle happens over night. Some things take time to blossom. If you really want to bring a miracle to life, follow my simple 3 step formula: 1. WAKE UP 2. GET OFF THE COUCH 3. GO DO IT!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBLF26-Irdc
Bury Me Alive
This song is about the time I ate way too much acid on a family vacation to Burning Man. I thought I overdosed and was convinced I had died. I saw my own funeral and all my family members crying. I ended up running naked through the dessert for 6 hours and nearly did die that night. I am grateful to still be here. FUN FACT: Little Ricky ZR3 is the DJ turntablist who did the scratching during the outro of this song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRiwYDwagvs
Alien Boy
This song is dedicated to all the alien boys and alien girls. The human experience is so strange. Most of us feel like aliens at some point or another. Who wants to be normal anyways? That sounds so boring. This song is about embracing that side of ourselves, becoming who we want to be, and thriving so we can reach our fullest potential.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ocfE8Ua-7U
Joke’s on You!
Do you ever feel like your life is a joke? Everyday I wake up and look at myself in the mirror and I think I look beautiful. A lot of people talk trash about me online, saying I’m ugly and all I can think is… how unhappy with yourself do you need to be in order to deliberately go out of your way to hate on others? Learn to love yourself and learn how to laugh at yourself. STOP TAKING YOURSELF SO SERIOUSLY!
Again & Again
We are creatures of habit. Our patterns tend to repeat themselves, again & again. Some for better, some for worse. If we don’t learn from our mistakes, we will continue to repeat them over & over, again & again. The human brain is incredibly powerful. We have the power to change our negative patterns into new and improved ones. Keep your head up, be honest with yourself and cut out all the things that don’t serve you and your life.
Waste My Time
Time is the most precious of all resources. There really aren’t enough hours in the day… I don’t have time for you to waste, so I won’t waste your time either. Do everything you want to while you’re here. Our time is brief and over before you know it. FUN FACT: Little Ricky ZR3 played the violin part during the outro.
Jerk
I think we’ve all met a jerk or two. We’ve all met people that we hope to never see again. It’s important to also understand that we’ve probably all been that jerk at some point in our own lives.
Hurt
This song is about a scooter crash that nearly took my life. I was competing in a freestyle contest during my senior year in high school. I drop in on this 40 foot ramp, going 25 miles an hour and out of nowhere my front wheel hits this little pebble. I go flying 18 feet and put out both my hands to break the fall. I got knocked out with a crazy concussion. I woke up hours later in a hospital bed with a broken left wrist, a broken right wrist, and a broken thumb that required multiple surgeries and two metal rods through my hand for the entire summer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqpnbSFprB4
Introspective
This song is about getting lost in the thoughts that travel through our own heads. Sometimes we have things we keep to ourselves, things that we might not want to share with others. Sometimes the right words don’t seem to exist. Sometimes we make assumptions. Just say it…
I’m Gone
I’m gone! Oliver Tree is officially over! “Ugly is Beautiful” is my first album and my last album. It was fun while it lasted but this industry has sucked me dry. I can’t do this anymore. Thank you for listening. I love you all. PEACE!
