UPDATE: Tamar Berk Drops Stunning Album 'ocd': Also Connects with Us About The Raw Journey Behind It
- STAFF
- Aug 20
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 8
By: Staff
'ocd' is an emotionally charged album masterpiece that blends vulnerability with soaring vocals and mesmerizing melodies.
We dove into the latest album by Tamar Berk, 'ocd' and it completely captivated us from start to finish. Her magnetic sound left us in a euphoric whirlwind all weekend, and we couldn’t get enough of it.
Opening with “stay close by,” the gritty guitars instantly set the tone, bringing an electric energy that permeates the entire track. The vocals glide with such smoothness, drawing us deep into the mood of the song. When Berk belts out:
“let’s go for a ride,”
her voice soars, cutting through the air like a jet flying low overhead, stopping you dead in your tracks. The underlying drum fills pulse like rapid-fire heartbeats, further fueling the sense of exhilaration. With every beat, the warmth of summer vibes takes over, and we were completely immersed in the energy of “stay close by.” It’s a track that’s impossible to tire of.
Next up, the seductive allure of “ocd” hits you right from the start. The infectious beats and glistening synths are both sultry and captivating, and Berk’s vocal runs flow seamlessly with the dynamic arrangement. The shimmering notes dance through the track, sending shivers down our spine. It’s a perfect blend of '80s and '90s influence, reimagined into a bold, contemporary masterpiece that feels timeless. Without a doubt, this track is a winner.
“time zone” transports us to an entirely different world, its lyrics evoke the grandiosity of a Broadway rock opera. It’s easy to picture a dance troupe sweeping across the stage as Berk stands center stage, commanding attention under a single spotlight. The song's cadence and flow are an energizing rush, compelling you to tap your feet and get lost in the rhythm. The guitar solo—along with the pulsating beats—infuses the track with an irresistible vitality. This is another major triumph for Tamar Berk.
With “my day will come,” the mood shifts toward something more tender and introspective. The song opens with a delicate violin, and the deep bass infusion pulls at the heartstrings, evoking a quiet sadness. The dramatic pauses in the music set the perfect stage for Berk to showcase her stunning vocals. The restrained instrumentation amplifies the emotional impact, allowing her voice to truly shine. The production choices here are nothing short of exceptional. This song not only highlights Berk’s vocal mastery but also serves as a testament to the thoughtfulness and precision behind her creative vision. It’s a breathtaking piece of work, one that lingers long after it ends.
By the time we reached “ghost stories,” we were left emotionally charged, utterly unable to choose a favorite track. The song’s haunting power, combined with Berk’s magnetic presence, rivals the emotional connection that Fleetwood Mac has with its audience. We’ve been impressed by Tamar Berk time and again, but this album feels like the artist has somehow achieved the impossible yet again. There’s a sense of timelessness to her work, a never-ending flow of creativity and attention to detail that keeps pushing her forward. This album stands as a true masterpiece, one that resonates on a deeply personal level and offers an invaluable lesson in artistry.
We are always grateful for the opportunity to experience Tamar Berk’s work, and we can confidently say this album is something truly special.
If you’re looking for a musical experience that captivates, challenges, and enchants, this is the one.
To experience the magic of pulling back the curtain and exposing this genius, keep scrolling for more.
We got together with Tamar Berk for an exciting interview to delve into the stories and happenings behind the making of this and learn more about the artist in "The Cage" Music Blog and we are excited to share it with you!
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello Tamar Berk, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more excited to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. We loved the music video for "stay close by." The background, visuals, and editing were captivating, and your vocals, so smooth yet soaring, were a huge win in our book. What made you choose this particular setting and the floral styling for the video?
A. I wanted the video to feel dreamy, uplifting, and inspiring. The most peaceful I ever feel is when I’m surrounded by nature. It’s the one thing that reminds me there’s something bigger and more spiritual than we can really understand. I’m also a painter, and I use bright colors in my paintings, so I wanted to include colorful imagery and flowers — something that makes anyone watching want to be there, to go for a ride, and to get high. It’s a vibe for sure.
Q. Can you share how you landed on the title "stay close by"?
A. I was thinking about how relationships go through many phases, and some of those include not spending as much time together as you’d like because of work, travel, or other reasons. I was also thinking about those moments when you’re exhausted and might not have the energy to talk much, but just knowing someone is close by can be so comforting. Sometimes simply having someone next to you makes everything better.
Q. You've mentioned that "OCD," your 5th studio album in as many years, is your most personal and intense yet. How did you know you were ready to dive this deep into your own mental and emotional landscape? Was there a specific moment that sparked the creation of this record?
A. I really had a rough year, and my issues felt more out of control than usual. I wanted to talk about some of these things without sounding like I was whining, because everyone has problems. I started thinking about the specifics I was dealing with and decided to write more about acceptance rather than “poor me.” In the end, all the obsessiveness and spiraling thoughts are what make me who I am.
Q. You said that the album is a map of everything you’ve been trying to untangle in your head. What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself through the process of creating this record?
A. Songwriting is not only therapy and cathartic for me, but it also reveals the most about how my subconscious works. When I write lyrics, I often listen back and think, “That’s so true — and I never thought of it that way!” I’ve learned that what I’ve inherited or learned is really a survival mechanism to get through the world — and also my most cherished creative tool.
Q. You’ve collaborated with incredible musicians like Matt Walker and Matt Thomson, yet your music retains such a personal and distinct sound. How do these collaborators enrich the process while still allowing your artistic vision to shine?
A. For the most part, I compose all the instruments and parts on my songs. That even includes drums — I’ll provide a MIDI track of what I’m hearing, and then Matt Walker will take that and make it a million times better while still going with the vibe I want. I use several bass players, but I always give them a track of me playing bass to base it on. For lead guitar, I’ll sometimes sing what I’m hearing or do a rough pass so the guitarist knows what’s in my head.
Q. You write, record, and produce your own music. In what ways has this hands-on approach influenced the emotional depth of your work? Do you find it allows for more authenticity, or does it create pressure to get everything just right?
A. Yes! I tinker and tinker until it feels perfect. I obsessively listen to my rough mixes over and over to figure out exactly what they need. For the last year and a half, I was in the studio every day writing, rewriting, recording, editing, and listening. Occasionally I’d take a day off to rest my ears, but I have very high expectations for where I want my songs to go. That’s where my OCD comes in — I hear them a certain way and NEED to get them there, or I can’t rest. It’s a lot, for sure.
Q. "OCD" explores themes of obsession and emotional undoing. Do you see this album as reclaiming control over those feelings, or more of an exploration into surrendering to them?
A. It’s more of an exploration into surrendering to them — but with awareness of when I’m letting myself go too far and it might affect others.
Q. What do you want this song to convey about you as an artist at this point in your career?
A. Musically, I want listeners to know I write in many different styles and love experimenting. A lot of people discovered me through my pop-rock songs. Stylistically, I wanted to delve into my love of reverby, spaced-out vocals and distorted guitars, with more of a driving, linear vibe than a typical indie pop-rock song. Lyrically, “Stay Close By” is sort of an anthem of hopeful optimism. As I get older, I find myself talking about all the things I want to do, projects I want to finish, vacations I want to take — and often none of those plans happen. BUT the idea of doing them gives you hope that one day you will.
Q. Many artists hit a few walls along the way. Have there been times when you questioned continuing with music? What helped you stay committed?
A. I’ve never questioned continuing music, but last year I definitely felt burnt out. With my brain the way it is, the exhaustion can be debilitating and leave me drained and depressed. But now that the album’s out, I feel reinvigorated. I absolutely love producing and writing songs, so that’s never going to stop.
Q. What are your top three venues on your wish list to perform at?
A. The Metro – Chicago (I played here long ago but would love to again)
The Observatory – San Diego
Mississippi Studios – Portland (I’ve played here before but would love to as a solo artist)
Q. Outside of music, who or what has had the biggest influence on your personal growth or artistic perspective?
A. I grew up in an artistic household — listening to classical music, going to art museums, reading books, studying photography and art history in college, and dancing in a ballet company. I admire so many artists, writers, musicians, comedians, painters, photographers, philosophers…the list goes on. I also read a lot of biographies and autobiographies of creative people who followed their own path. Those people — who have a vision and the discipline to stick to it — are my biggest influence.
Q. What do you want people to remember most about you after hearing this song and reading this interview?
A. That I live and breathe music, that I’m obsessed with producing, creating, recording, and writing songs — and that I want to make a real connection with people. Ultimately, I want someone to hear one of my songs and feel incredibly moved, the same way I felt when I first heard songs that made me think, “Wow, this is exactly how I feel!”
Q. Now that fans know more about your project, let’s talk about your name. For those meeting you for the first time — is Tamar Berk your given name or a stage name? How does it connect with your music, and what does it represent to you and your fans?
A. It’s my given name! I went by Tammy growing up though. LOL.
Q. And finally, we can’t thank you enough for sharing these intimate details! What’s next? Can you give us the inside scoop on upcoming projects and what fans should be excited about?
A, I’m playing on September 27 in Chicago at Schubas to celebrate the album release! In addition, I’ll be working on an album of demos, b-sides, and songs that didn’t make the cut, to release in the future!
Tamar Berk, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Tamar Berk’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
