REVIEW: ODESZA - THE LAST GOODBYE

4/5

An Ode To ODESZA.

Is this it? 'The Last Goodbye', my friend like a song from The Kills, or the late, great Jeff Buckley. In all caps for ODESZA. The epic, eclectic electronic American group from Bellington, Washington. Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight, who had me dancing 'Across The Room' during quarantine staying safe at home, like Leon Bridges at a cookout beautiful video for a collaboration off the pair's last album (2017's 'A Moment Apart'). All for a collaboration so good from the 'Texas Sun' to the 'Texas Moon' that it even beats 'The River' singer's one with Khruangbin for the extended play. It might have taken me a minute to get in to ODESZA, but that song is still on my go to playlist's regular rotation. But now with their fourth album ('Summer's Gone', 'In Return', 'Apart' and now this 'Goodbye') and first in five years (let's also not forget the 'Friends Never Die' EP, because they don't lie like 'Stranger Things' too), this has me fearing it might be the end. Even if we'll be dancing forever more. Mills and Knight (professionally known as Catacombkid and Beaches Beaches respectively) have been doing this for a decade since they formed after graduating from Western Washington University. And we could still hear them doing it for decades like those thirtysomethings who still wear college tees (*holds up hand*. He doesn't even go here). Even if it takes a miracle like the hell of an Eagle freezing over for one of America's best acts right now. Because like Smokey Robinson once said, 'What's So Good About Goodbye'?

Newsflash, this isn't it for your PSA. This grand return after a half decade break is exactly that, a return. A time apart in reflection for the Seattle based band to needle through what's important and realize that it's time to keep beating for the friends and family who are a part of their rhythm, rhyme and reason. The outstanding opening 'This Version Of You' with a poetic Julianna Barwick is atmospherically, exactly that. "This version of you, simply becomes real", 'The Magic Place' singer of electronic loops says over an inspiring intro featuring the joy of children laughing around you, just like Curtis Mayfield called it on 'The Makings Of You'. Piano's on the platform as a parent asks, "can you say I love you yet." Resurrecting your heart from reverie, you want to know how much this return, act, album and actual song mean? Check the top YouTube comment. "Odesza is a genre. The best genre", another one says on the second track ('Wide Awake' with Charlie Houston) that keeps this all going. Open your eyes and you can see how much they've been missed. "I've been wide awake feelin'/People seem to change their feelings in time/Did we make a mistake healin'?/It's more than I can take not feelin' too fine," Houston sings for all our problems. It's the way of the world right now. And whether it's the stunning second single 'Better Now' featuring MARCO ("been trying to fix it/And find out what's been missing/I want to live a life that is worth living" (here, here). Their differently dedicated 'Love Letter' with The Knocks ("you can't break my heart, 'cause I was never in love." Damn!). Standout 'Behind The Sun' in all its grand, glorious glare. Or the latest and last single seeing the 'Light Of Day' ("if I reach the light, I'm OK") and its animated music video. Featuring Icelandic multi-instrumentalist Ólafur Arnalds on this return to goodbye and classic closing. The odyssey of ODESZA is outstanding. 

Before Beyoncé, Maggie and King Princess for your Queen B next week, we have five huge releases this new music week...not to mention many more. Notably, Jack White and the RZA's second cuts of the calendar ('Entering Heaven Alive' and 'Bobby Digital and the Pit of Snakes'...I'll leave it up to you to guess who's is who), Ben Harper's beautiful 'Bloodline Maintenance' protest in name of the father and Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward's She & Him tide testament to The Beach Boys in 'Melt Away: A Tribute To Brian Wilson'. But for all these big names, the best is saved for 'The Last Goodbye' in our album of the week. Campaigning for release of the year. 'Forgive Me', but that single worthy song featuring Izzy Bizu is worthy of that. No talking up filler. The 'North Garden' for this bold band of brothers in musical bloom. 'All My Life' waits for a sing like this that soars through the soundscape. All before the legacy making Låpsley shows you your 'Equal'. Our hometown hero (born in York, but grew up in our Southport, Merseyside, going to Greenbank High School like my sister. Small, beautiful world). Singing, "I go the whole nine, drivin' through the whole night/Hold you 'til the first light, so tight, love is pain right/I lose sight, I can see the signs/Blinded by my own fire, I take flight, I take flight/And it's all in my head and I'm stood on the ledge and the people/Walk through the day while I'm tryna make sense of the prequel/I just want our love to be equal", for the prelude of a powerful pre-drop. There was a time foolish hearts thought dance music had no depth. Not when its substance gets into your brain like this. No drug, just EDM music. It's the kind of 'Healing Grid' that helps you through the night when you say 'I Can't Sleep' like the RZA's most vulnerable, razor-sharp Wu-Tang Clan cut. But when it comes to the title-track and the first single of 'The Last Goodbye', nothing hits harder from their absolute range with Bettye LaVette. "When you pass by me/Say hello once in a while/When you pass by me, baby/Does it hurt so much to smile." Triggering the senses as "you feel to stay is wrong". Letting you down easy, "for your love for me is gone." Heartbreakingly true. But guess who is still here to heal? The partnership you thought was done. And even if this was a real goodbye. This one would always last somewhere in the memories of your past. The one that only music can hit like nothing else but the moment. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'This Version Of You (Feat. Julianna Barwick)', 'Wide Awake (Feat. Charlie Houston)', 'Behind The Sun'.