Not Odyssey’s 2023 album For what It tackles new sounds and topics in comparison with his earlier work. it isn’t. For what The Washington, DC rapper and producer presents a well-known number of main and minor chords, immerses himself in his work with soulful background vocals, and upholds a resolutely cool-headed ethos. enhance. Little doubt longtime hip-hop followers of him have heard all of it earlier than, Odyssey or not. The distinction is that Oddisee’s ultimate product is never heard on the next degree, even by Oddisee itself.
For what, in title and content material, concurrently asking questions and making statements. Its title is harmful Contestants reply trivia objects in a quiz format and declare “I do know” whereas rapidly inspecting sport present clues. At the least declare “I feel I do know”. By way of the 16 songs, For what It begs the query of what we do—you, me, people, musicians, us—why and for what objective. Additionally present a solution.
Talk to bridge gaps, obtain objectives, mend variations, or make a selection. There may be energy in making decisions, and attentive listeners will hear it in her Oddisee method to this launch. Oddisee advances his philosophy by fusing time (represented by music) and distance (approximated and hopefully bridged by wordplay and lyrics). Its convergence, its melting pot, embody a sequence of inventive decisions. Just like the title of Odyssey’s 2013 launch, all magnificencethe maestro’s musical and lyrical concoctions yield a compelling and vibrant aesthetic.
Right here the music spans musical types. There are steady traces of scene-stealing synths and frenetic piano, usually shimmering and generally discordant, backed by sustained vocal sighs and coos. There are doo-wop harmonies amid crackling vinyl on “The Begin of One thing,” and Nas’ “Queens Get the Cash” till he performs his two thirds of the runtime. It’s an introduction with environment like. Untitled.
In the identical manner that the hook of “All I Want” evokes Earth, Wind and Fireplace, “Many Hat” has a Nineteen Seventies sultry mystique that may make Barry White proud. be. Earth, Wind, & Fireplace is actually a one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetime sensation, however his Oddisee manufacturing right here comfortably sits subsequent to, fairly than attempting to mimic, the spirit of the legendary band. I agree.
Likewise, “Work to Do” shares a standard vibe with the Isley Brothers basic of the identical title. It’s embellished by his Bilal vocal type which is completely spot on. If I may make one suggestion (as any artist would), a observe like this is able to be to method the working motif from a special angle. That’s, as an alternative of justifying the connection tensions created or exacerbated by a career-oriented mindset, we might prefer to see a music that corresponds to the assured Vanessa Williams model of the Nineties music.The Oddisee-Bilal pair Ring continues to be fairly good.
Equally spectacular are the Nineteen Eighties-inspired R&B and funk numbers. “The Approach” is an interpolation from DeBarge’s “I Like It,” imbuing it with an intense and purposeful rhythm. Regardless of the quantity and number of songs that pattern or cowl DeBarge’s tracks, Oddisee offers it a contemporary revisit. Potential, the tempo change displays Tupac Shakur’s therapy of The Time’s “777-9311” on “What’z Ya Cellphone #”. The observe additionally showcases the brilliance of the orchestral coda.
On the coronary heart of the album, and grounded in kind and performance, is Odichy’s manner of influencing the listener’s notion of time. Sometimes, he makes use of his keyboard sounds for his percussive results, however solely to change to conventional drum beats. At different occasions, his 1.5-speed quick circulation offers the phantasm of a quick tempo, as if the truck is accelerating. As a aspect be aware, lots of hip-hop’s underrated emcees are specialists in pacing, syntax, and supply, reconstructing beats by vocal supply and lyrical strategies. slows the tempo down utilizing an extended string. The guitar that closes out the album I’d be remiss if he did not point out the sound of his solo (“Race”).
Maintain a watch out for visitor options like CS Armstrong, BeMyFiasco, Bilal, Freeway, Phonte, Toine Jameson, Noochie, Olivier St. Louis, Saint Ezekiel, Haile Supreme, Kay Younger and extra. Given this roster, you possibly can’t assist however fear that Oddisee and the remainder of the artists can be overshadowed. Fortunately, it does not. Oddisee greater than holds his personal, weaving lilting lyricism all through his various soundscapes.
Lyrically, Odyssey’s message is delivered constantly. In “The Starting of One thing,” she humbly says, “She took time to just accept that she was worthy of her credit score.” In “Many Hats” he’s resilient. “My profession is because of turning wounds into concepts.” As you may think, he is additionally introspective, stating on “Extra to Go”: In addition to the lyrics, what’s spectacular is his circulation. Whether or not he is emoting by his austere, staccato supply or he is verses with Toine Jameson in “The Bartenders.” The latter observe particularly highlights Odyssey’s wordplay, because the MC swaps “bars” whereas passing and “holding out” the baton with seamless dexterity.
We at all times knew Odyssey was sensible. His rapping moniker alone speaks to him as a crafty wordsmith, as his title means a journey-like “odyssey.” On the similar time, he presents his personal viewpoint, like “Odd I See.” Listening to him lean into this in “The Starting of One thing”, he states, “Chances are you’ll not beat the chances, however you should meet the chances.”On condition that the titles of his earlier albums point out an inclination towards synesthesia, it ought to come as no shock to his use of the phrase (2012’s individuals hear what they see), consideration to irony and distinction (2013 seen dream and in 2015 good battle), the usage of metaphors (in 2017 iceberg). The fantastic thing about this launch is that it culminates within the output of Oddisee, a rapper and producer on the top of his energy. Now’s the time to take pleasure in the whole lot Oddisee brings to the desk.