Oddisee is a 39-year-old MC/producer from Washington, D.C., whose incredible seventh album and Mello Music Group debut ” Good Fight” got to know him. I’ve also enjoyed his work with Diamond District, the Odd Seasons mixtape series, his fourth EP Alwasta and The Good Fight’s successor The Iceberg. Having just returned last summer with the release of his 9th LP To What End, just 16 months later Oddisee has no hesitation in officially releasing his 6th EP as 2024 draws to a close.
“Had to Improve” officially kicks off the EP with a hypnotic homemade instrumental about taking some time off in order to use a practice routine to improve your craft, while “Live from the DMV” brings it to life with 2 songs Back in the mid-90s. “Words on Fire” mixes deep background vocals with kick and snare drums to talk about the world losing rhythm in this day and age, while “Thankful For” combines a 4/6 Moroccan-style beat with jazzy rap and hopefulness messages are blended together. “Give Way” blends soulful rock, hip-hop and spoken word to address themes of acceptance, but then the title track ends the EP on a softer note, talking about all things uncertain.
To kick off the summer, Oddisee releases a modern hip-hop EP inspired by countless genres and musical styles, with each song centered around a different take on the fact that no matter what happens, we have to wake up and make a living. His love for all genres truly reaches its peak in the 19-minute production, which artistically showcases his range without any cameos. If this is to keep us waiting for the tenth full-length feature sooner or later, then this is certainly an eclectic one.
Score: 8/10
