BLK ODYSSY - Diamonds & Freaks (Album)
Stimulating fans’ imaginations with a string of irresistible single releases throughout this year, Austin-based artist BLK ODYSSY now reveals his second full-length album Diamonds & Freaks, out now via EARTHCHILD/EMPIRE.
A delicious cocktail of R&B, soul, hip-hop, funk & pop, Diamonds & Freaks is narrated by legend & extraordinaire Bootsy Collins and rap collective Griselda’s spoken-word artist Keisha Plum. Split into four chapters, the conceptual project is presented as an erotic novel that explores a man enslaved by his lustful addictions. A distinct storytelling experience that chronicles the moral tug-of-war between success and various forms of desires, the album also describes how religion, faith, family and loss pull the man back to reality.
Kicking off with Chapter 1 “Dopamine & Hennessy”, the album opens with the soothing voice of Keisha Plum welcoming us to the start of the story like the beginning of a tape. The song ‘Dopamine & Hennesy’ follows straight after, with its gorgeous layers of brass, wind & string instruments, establishing a jazz-infused introduction for BLK ODYSSY’s laidback vocal to enter. Detailing the mix of drugs, alcohol & sexual attraction, the song is abruptly interrupted by a female voice warning, “don’t let your demons get you fucked up around me”, before a slower sensual production begins for Keisha Plum to perform a poem. The rest of Chapter 1 follows in similar fashion, with BLK ODYSSY describing his attraction for his love interest in ‘Ms Sweet Tea’ bedded over infectious neo-soul. ‘Summer In The Rain’ continues the sexy energy of the chapter, with the production layering delectable female harmonies with R&B and funk elements. Closing the chapter is ‘Adam & Eve’ featuring fellow artist Cory Henry. Mirroring the biblical story, the song is a vivid interpretation of temptation, breaking into Adam’s stream of consciousness in the midst of the track as he goes back and forth between his conflicting values and morals surrounding sex and relationships with women.
Chapter 2 is “Coochie & Big Booty”, beginning with previously released single ‘Honeysuckle Neckbone’ featuring Bootsy Collins. Introduced by Bootsy Collins, the song takes the form of a phone call or voicemail with BLK ODYSSY doing his best to rekindle his relationship as he reminisces about his ex-flame. Next comes ‘You Gotta Man’, the latest of his singles released leading up to this full album. Featuring singer/songwriter KIRBY, the track explores the forbidden attraction between two people who are already in relationships and the issues that arise in considering infidelity. Following this is April single release ‘ODEE’, which was accompanied by a conceptual music video following jewellery dealers being robbed by a heist of women and their boss, a commentary on men who use materialism (money and possessions) to lure in women. Concluding Chapter 2 is album track title ‘Diamonds & Freaks’ featuring acclaimed philosophical rapper Rapsody. Aptly following in the steps of ‘ODEE’, the song explores the idea of transactional sex.
This leads into Chapter 3, “The Divine Stank” which starts with The Alchemist produced record ‘Judas & The Holy Mother Of Stank’. Switching the vibe of the first 2 chapters, the production starts with ominously with aspects of funk as Keisha Plum narrates a vivid poem, before a sudden switch in the beat to a gritty psychedelic vibe that introduces Bootsy Collins. The chapter carries on with focus track ‘Pink Marmalade’, a soul-drenched hip hop leaning joint that fuses funk-riddled vocals into the chorus and features the alluring voice of fellow Austin native Eimaral Sol. The penultimate chapter closes with the groovy funk vibe of ‘Broke Folk’ which sees the return of Rapsody’s phenomenal pengame and BLK ODYSSY’s infectious harmonised hooks paired perfectly with electric key chords and lush guitar licks.
For the fourth and final chapter ‘Diamonds & Freaks’, we open with ‘Ephesians’, seeing the return of Bootsy Collins’ distinctive voice introducing the chapter over an invigorating jazz number, topping drums with climbing piano chords and a delicious sax solo that leads into the intro for the next track ‘Let Me Go’. Featuring Grace Sorensen, this song slows things down as BLK ODYSSY’s energy towards his partner changes, as he pleads for them to “just let me go”. The second-to-last song is ‘Orange Wine’, a soulful record that features the sweet sounds of a wah-wah guitar. The album comes to a natural end with the melancholy sounds of ‘Let It Grow’ which features artist STOUT. A slow-paced record that allows BLK ODYSSY’s vocal range to take centre-stage over emotive saxophone and harmonies from STOUT.
Amassing over 50 million global streams in just 2 years, BLK ODYSSY has entered the scene with force and intention. His critically acclaimed debut album BLK VINTAGE crowned him one to watch in the R&B & Soul scenes, with the album expressing grief, trauma and critique on what it means to be black in America. Creating songs as a means of healing and inspiring his community, BLK ODYSSY is a multi-faceted talent drawing influences from OutKast, Funkadelic and D’Angelo.
As his second studio album, Diamonds & Freaks is a cohesive body of work that identifies his consistency as an artist and a storyteller, teeming with authenticity and creativity.
BLK ODYSSY proves himself once more as a force to be reckoned with.