Love From All Angles

Counterfeit Madison’s Opposable Thumbs is a beautiful work of art, simply put. Both moving and powerful, it’s a solid debut from the solo artist Sharon Udoh that really shows exactly who she is. Truly a jack-of-all-trades, with groovy, old-school piano notes and a powerful, gospel-influenced voice, she has created one of the most versatile albums released in 2017. The album glows with instrumental and vocal genius, making it a stunning album written with passion.

Udoh began her music career in 2009, shortly after moving to Columbus, Ohio. She describes her genre of music as a mix of  “funk + punk + sadness,” and has a noted appreciation for artists like David Bowie and Kanye West. The influence of such grandiose artists appears on almost every track, whether obvious or subtle. New elements are discovered with each subsequent listen. An album to get lost in, each track is packed with superb vocals and lingering, wholesome lyrics.

“Shout About Clout” starts off incredibly brash, but then melts into an upbeat, catchy electronic melody. It’s a really short song, but it’s full of power and enthusiasm that carries onto the next song. Setting the listener up for what they are about to listen to next, it’s easily a favorite off the album.

“Like One and One and A to Z,” strongly influenced by David Bowie, is a grand song that’s full of exciting, ecstatic elements. Fitting for a musical, there’s plenty of character for only the second song on the tracklist. Counterfeit’s vocals towards the end are particularly thunderous and truly amazing — the sound sends chills up your spine.

“Light Switch” is elegant, complete with brilliant piano and vocals. It’s a sound that will transport you to another place, and another favorite off of the album. “Song For The Loyals” is another slow track that’s adorned with exquisite piano work. Packed with feelings of love and calm, Udoh thanks a special person in her life in the lyrics. You can really feel what Udoh is singing because it gets underneath your skin, a beautiful love song at its core.

“I Hope It’s Alright” changes up the tempo, taking on the tone of a classic ’50s song. It’s funky, danceable, and endlessly upbeat. It seems like it’s a turning point for the album, as if each song has been building up to the moment that the vocalist sings that she doesn’t give a shit.

With so many likable tracks, Opposable Thumbs is an honest and raw interpretation of the singer’s life, and it needs to be appreciated in all its glory. The combination of inviting songs and expertly skilled production make for a strong, limitless album. In addition, by tackling important themes such as self-love, loving others, and loving life as a whole, she puts necessary conversations to the forefront and creates an album with the potential to change lives.