After releasing a brand new single last month, after a four-year break, ODESZA is proving that they are interested in keeping fans on the edge of their seats as they gear up for a new album release. While “The Last Goodbye,” featuring Bettye LavVette, was highly teased from home videos to cryptic texts, so much so that fans were sent in a frenzy trying to unwrap the mystery, their newest single came out of nowhere and managed to send fans into another frenzy.
“Better Now” features vocalist MARO, who has toured with 4X Grammy-winner, Jacob Collier, and opened for the likes of Jessie J, Fatai, ¿Téo?, and others. It is a softer-spoken counterpart to “The Last Goodbye,” taking on more of an organic soundscape, but still very much within the realm of what we have come to know and love from the duo. The familiar percussive backing, shimmery synths, and atmospheric backing vocals set the backdrop for a journey through how it feels to take that first leap into the unknown. MARO delivers unique vocals that are a mix of soothingly mysterious and confidently reassured. She relays the internal conversation that goes with stepping outside of your comfort zone. The production swirls behind her silky voice, weaving in the emotions that come with the dialogue – softer in some areas and more explosive in others.
ODESZA and MARO really said “Happy Wednesday, here’s a morning tune” with this track. The next album is sure to be an emotional rollercoaster, as is expected, given the diversity of sound already shown by “Better Now” and “The Last Goodbye.”
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