New music
Following success after success, it’s no surprise that the energy that buzzed around Nubya Garcia’s new album ‘Odyssey’ was one of impatience and excitement. After her 2020 album ‘Source’ earned her a Mercury nomination, our expectations were high, and only increased when she welcomed ‘The Seer’ into the world.
The single is cinematic, explorative and shakes free the notion that Garcia’s notable success could ever see her relinquish her creative freedom in favour of becoming remotely mainstream. It was the perfect choice, introducing us to this new world she’s created in 12 tracks. None of them are made for a singular listen, nor would they suit constant, monotonous, mainstream radio play. No, they favour all-absorbing, introspective journeying. Each listen teaching you something new, be it about the song, yourself or in this case, Garcia.
When describing what drives ‘Odyssey’, Garcia shared that “it represents the notion of truly being on your own path, and trying to discard all the outside noise saying you should go this way or that way.” So, what better album to take with you on a walk? To drown out the world, replacing them with these classical, jazz, dub and R&B infused sounds that beat through your headphones, immersing you in cinematic potential. A soundtrack to daydreams, potential and vulnerability.
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Give gratitude to the outerludes that offer you that minute to collect yourself, before diving back into a world unknown.
‘We Walk in Gold’ ft. Georgia Anne Muldrow is the track you’ll return to. Pause to restart and soak in the ‘cosmic incandescent powers’ that this pair create, then share it with the woman who comes to mind. The one that walks in gold, who deserves to experience this buoyant, emboldened feeling for herself.
Female vocals weave their way through this work, with five-time Grammy winner Esperanza Spalding and KOKOROKO’s Richie Seivwright also lending their voices to Garcia’s wizardry.
Their differences are utilised beautifully within the album, staggered within the rhythm of emotions the piece navigates. They walk different paths, with ‘Set It Free’ ft. Richie stepped in 90s R&B, paying homage to the greats that came before through the harmonious backing vocals and emotive runs, bleeding into instrumental breaths of air. Whilst ‘Dawn’ ft Esperanza Spalding opens up this new world to us, sitting proudly as that first track. A fairytale dreamscape, layered with vocals fitting of old Hollywood.
As Herbie Hancock so rightly put it, “jazz is about being in the moment” and jazz weaves through Nubya Garcia’s ‘Odyssey’. So, press play and sit back – close your eyes and soak it in.
8/10
Words: Megan Walder
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