Album Review: Tom Odell - Monsters

Tom Odell meanders his way through mental health struggles, nostalgia and global chaos on his fourth studio album, Monsters. Equally flawed and sublime; Odell’s minimalist approach favours feeling over perfection on a record which blends folk, classical, hip-hop and EDM.

Despite the appropriate light production, the album is well fleshed out with some of Odell’s best songwriting since his debut, 2013’s Long Way Down.

‘money’ opens with a captivating dystopian piano, introducing some of Odell’s most striking lyrical moments. “Fuck them, it’s all about me / Gotta buy my house a family,” he sings towards the back end of the hypnotic track.

On ‘monster v. 2’, the 30 year old sings about overcoming anxiety, displaying admirable vocal prowess while effortlessly sliding between gritty and smooth tones throughout.

The indie-pop BRIT Critics Choice Award winner further shows off his pop credentials on ‘me and my friends’ with a guitar melody influenced by the late 2010s. This offering marks the most hopeful on the album as Odell celebrates younger days

Whilst Monsters is an exploration of Odell’s anguish, it still feels like a victory lap. Each element sounds deliberate and driven by a sense of artistic freedom.

Monsters will be released on July 2nd via Sony Music.