To say that the year 2020 has been one of many surprises would be a gross understatement. However, one bright spot in our current state of uncertainty has been the influx of new music from some of our favorite artists. Enter Prince George's County’s-own Oddisee. It's been just over three years since we’ve gotten a full project from him, so his latest EP Odd Cure is a welcomed treat. While forced to self-quarantine following a stint in Asia just before the lockdown, he used his time and energy to explore a variety of themes for this latest release. He didn’t stray far away from his knack for digestible social and political commentary, though it seems the goal for this project was to create something that is both timely and timeless.
Rather than succumb to the draw of dedicating an EP solely to the pandemic, the Brooklyn-based master lyricist covered a lot of ground over the course of six tracks. He chose to address the times and emotional trials associated with it by looking far beyond the surface. Over soulful, jazz-infused tracks, Oddisee is able to capture the range of emotions we all feel throughout this shared experience, from fear to fortitude. As an added human touch, snippets of conversations with friends and family members sprinkled throughout offer a relatable and sometimes comedic relief to the heavy subject matter.
In conjunction with the release of Odd Cure, he also dropped the visual for the track “No Skips” featuring Ralph Real, which details the fact that life’s journey is indeed your own and each experience is necessary. Though limited due to the lockdown, creativity still flies throughout the video, as we spot Oddisee taking his place among a variety of backgrounds, from skylines to street corners.
Press play on Oddisee's Odd Cure and his "No Skips" video below, and be sure to pick up the EP from your preferred digital platform.
