All Things considered

Odessa is known for her soft sounds and personal lyrics, especially after her debut album Odessa. Before releasing her second studio album, Odessa treated her fans by releasing “Thunder” and “Live On” early this year. Her tropical song “Paradise” was already released in 2017. Odessa’s soft voice and intimate lyrics feel like a bridge into her world.

The album begins with the title track, “All Things.” She starts the song with very philosophical questions like “How do you cope with the unknown?” and the song continues to be deeply philosophical and repetitive. It almost feels like a dream sequence in a movie, which might be because of the harp playing in the background and flutes. “Live On” takes the audience back into the early roots of singer/songwriters. The melody is positive and supports her folksy lyrics. Odessa’s voice and harmony with the instruments give her an almost angel-like vibe and it’s hard not to feel happy and peaceful during a song about sunshine and flowers.

After all this peace and happiness, sunshine and flowers, Odessa brings in the “Thunder.” Probably one of the best songs of the album, she gets deep and her sound gets more intense. Her voice gets darker and more melancholic. It’s a 180-degree change to the previous songs. “Thunder” explores the emotions surrounding a toxic on/off relationship. Due to the violins throughout the song, the vibe becomes more dramatic and powerful and it’s hard to not get emotional.

Just as fast as the album gets emotional and melancholic, it gets hopeful again. “Full Circle” feels like getting home after walking through heavy rain; it’s comforting. The song is slow and the violins sound less dramatic than hopeful. Again, Odessa opens herself up to the audience with her lyrics about being thankful and giving all these little life lessons.

After that listeners get a song that feels quite the opposite of not caring in “Don’t Care.” It shows her more vulnerable and scared. Unfortunately at this point, the album feels like an emotional rollercoaster between hopefulness and self-doubt, a little bit like life.

Another highlight on All Things is “Paradise.” The song has very tropical beats and it feels a little bit like a trip to the beach bar while on vacation, especially because the love song is almost like a sweet cocktail.

After “Paradise,” the album stays sad a little longer and Odessa sounds lost in her thoughts. “Hard As I Try” is quiet and the piano sounds like an echo that is too shy to be louder. “Lost My Head” takes another deep hit on toxic relationships and how they take a toll on personality and mental health.

As the opposite of “Thunder,” “Sunshine” hits more positive notes and invites people to dream and relax. The lyrics seem to focus on being happy with the little things in life. Before the end of her album, Odessa introduces a new mantra in her song “Tipton,” as she repeats the line: “All is well in my soul.” The final song “Disco Ball,” finishes the album on an ultimately positive note and leaves the listener hopeful and comforted.

All Things is a soft album but it’s not a particularly easy album, especially for people who like to listen to albums that reflect their emotions. All Things offers deep philosophical songs but it almost feels torn between being positive and anxious, which leads to a confusing mix of emotions for the audience.