Odeal - Lustropolis (Album)

Coming just 4 months after “Sunday At Zuri’s”, an upbeat Afro Beat’s offering fit for the July weather in which it dropped, Odeal returns with “Lustropolis”. 7 soul packed tracks that embody a completely opposite feel from its predecessor. I love when music feels like the season it was released in. These are cold weather, dark out at 5 pm, tunes (complimentary). Odeal dressed in fur, posed in front of a slate blue background on the cover helps to further signify the feeling conveyed in the music.

“Now my room feels like Norway Norway because you couldn’t get it your way…I felt alive with you. Guess I couldn’t see I was surviving you” Odeal sings on the album’s opener, backed by the slow strums of a guitar. From the very first line, he begins painting the picture of what’s in store for your visit to “Lustropolis”.  A few songs down on “SHOWBIZ”, he says “the city of Lustropolis took so much from me”. Heartbreak and sorrow live in this city we will call home for the next 21 minutes. 

Song after song Odeal lets his emotions take center stage as he so honestly shares his gripes with love, intensified by the instrument heavy, atmospheric production. He is able to manipulate his tone to feel like an instrument in its own right just adding another layer to how special this music is.

I’m a big fan of this album’s progression. There continues to be more to look forward to. Halfway through, we get the one singular feature from fellow label mate and R&B royalty, Summer Walker. Soon followed by my two favorite songs which sit at the bottom of the tracklist. The horns and Odeal’s vocals quite literally melt into one another on “HBTS” while the songwriting and soulful essence on “Blame U” are instant standouts. 

Odeal’s performance on “Lustropolis” is undeniable. I highly recommend getting this in your Fall/Winter rotation as I’m more than certain that it’s about to become a staple in mine.