Portland – Odessa’s dreamy pop grows personal with the arrival of her self-titled debut LP. Odessa is an entryway to the artist’s thoughts, aggravations and self-doubts. The LP becomes an experience for the listener, one in which they feel as if they are getting to know Odessa from the inside out. In this way, songwriting is the triumph of this release. The lyrics are relatable, sometimes dauntingly so. However, Odessa’s gentle vocals and simplistic production make for a mellow yet pensive self-reflection.
The California native’s debut is reminiscent of her roots. While currently based in LA, Odessa Rose was raised in Northern California’s Santa Rosa, which accounts for elements of the West Coast that are weaved into her music. Harmonies coat each song like waves, accompanied by slow drumbeats and hints of violin. Odessa has succeeded in creating an atmosphere for the listener to appreciate each song and experience her vision. The honesty of the lyrics only makes the experience of it more intense. Odessa’s willingness to portray her own experiences, the good and bad, make her more relatable as an artist, and the listener only more willing to indulge.
The track list is rampant with love songs fraught with reassurances and a self-deprecation that confronts the listener. “Love Alone” is perhaps the most honest example of this. The song begins with the declaration: “Nobody likes to be alone.” For most of the record, Odessa is solitary, with only subtle accompaniments. She goes on, “I’ve been waiting all my life, for somebody to rescue me.” Many of the songs leading up to the sixth track reinforce that very idea. “My Match,” the LP’s second track, is a love song to a person Odessa has yet to meet, but has constructed in her mind–an answer to the question of solitude.
The LP’s sound is arguably the reason that is flows so well. “Hummed Low,” the third track, begins with Odessa’s familiar vocals and only a drumbeat before a crescendo of sound complete with rousing harmonies and violin. The production becomes more powerful with every chorus, as Odessa delicately sings, “run baby, run…run from the one that you thought that you loved.” Violins take over the rest as the track ends, and an electric guitar and fading drumbeat leads the listener deeper into Odessa. “Grow,” the LP’s single, is a summation of the album—sweet, somber and graceful. The growth in the track reflects Odessa’s maturity as a musician and songwriter. For Odessa, she succeeds with songs that highlight her light vocals and dreamy production, as well as her ability to portray an honest human experience.
Odessa’s debut is promising, both in production and songwriting. Through 11 tracks, Odessa is able to capture the listener’s attention and the album’s flow is a testament to her skill and her ability to tell her story. By the end of the album, “Western” is purely instrumental. It is a pleasant outro for the album; only echoing chants, violin and an acoustic guitar remain.
Odessa is out now, via Republic Records. Keep an eye out for upcoming tour dates here.
Dakota Smith
Follow her on twitter in case she says something funny: @LikeTheStates
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