OG8 Demands That You 'Recognize'

Years of feeling overlooked can turn musicians bitter, but this group of industry veterans chose a brighter path. They vowed to write music that entertains and heals, and listeners quickly learned the band can also rock. OG8 now backs that promise with the album Recognize, and the title feels earned. Moreover, the record shows range and sincerity that can only be built by veterans working hard for years in the music industry.

OG8 grew out of decades of friendship and musical collaboration. Founder and lead guitarist Troy Williver built the band around a shared belief that the love of music matters more than ego. Lead singer Jaime Lynch brings powerhouse vocals and big stage presence. She is a multiple winner of “Best of Las Vegas,” with credits that include Pussycat Dolls, Peep Show, and Vegas The Show. Drummer Michael Thomas Underwood III, saxophonist Renato Caranto, keyboardist George Mitchell, bassist Phil Baker, and sound engineer Drew Canulette complete the lineup. Still, the songs matter more than the résumés here.

The album opens with “Finish Line,” and a quick guitar melody grabs attention right away. Troy Williver grew up traveling the country and winning Quarter Midget Racing championships, and the track pulls from those memories of youth and rowdy friends. He says the whole song came together in about two minutes, after a C+C Music Factory earworm sent him reaching for his Les Paul at 2:52 a.m. Then Jaime Lynch comes in at full force, and her powerful vocals prepare you for the big energy ahead. The guitar work is impressive throughout. Meanwhile, the lyrics tell a defiant story about rising every time life knocks you down, and the anthemic breakdown makes that message hit even harder.

Next comes “I Hate You,” which opens with reverb-drenched guitar before settling into a sweet and pretty melody. The sound turns intimate, and Jaime Lynch matches it with a vocal that feels just as close. However, the power arrives soon after, and the scream-along chorus turns the pain of betrayal into strength. This duality shows the range of OG8 better than any bio could. Lyrically, it works as a defiant send-off to toxic relationships and to anyone who ever lied or let you down.

A slight switch-up arrives with “Susan B,” which leans into the blues without giving up the power rock of OG8. The vibe is infectious, and the catchy hooks make it easy to follow the story of a woman searching for love in all the wrong places. Beneath that story sits a gentle reminder that real love never costs your dignity. (Fans of groove-minded, soulful Americana will find a similar spirit in Paul Totten’s Brightland Shines.)

Strong and powerful right out of the gate, “Fame” confronts the price of success. An angst bleeds through the song, and the attitude stays defiant from start to finish. The lyrics reject the industry’s temptations and choose authenticity instead. Layers of sound fill the speakers from top to bottom without ever blowing you away. A nice organ sound then adds even more flair, while the blues and funk touches give the country-rock foundation extra swagger.

The album closes on a quieter note with “Lasting Light,” a slower and more acoustic track. Stripped back, it still shows the true talent of every band member, and emotion and soul are easy to hear. The song is soulful and folky, and it reminds us that morning follows even the darkest night. As a result, it feels like a deep breath after the louder moments. Overall, Recognize proves that OG8 can satisfy nearly every craving a listener might have in a single album. After one spin, the title stops sounding like a request and starts sounding like a fact.