Outer Note
To What End sees the much-awaited return of the Brooklyn-based rapper and producer. It’s Oddisee’s first LP since 2017’s politically charged The Iceberg, which perfectly married the live band sound with Oddisee’s insightful and powerful observations. In between, he dropped the excellent Odd Cure in 2020; an EP released right in the depths of the pandemic. It was the perfect encapsulation of helplessness and hope of the period, filled with fears but also providing an opportunity to reflect and reconnect with loved ones.
To What End has been a long time coming. Recorded over the last year, it featured several marathon, all-night sessions. It’s also his most collaborative record, featuring a string of guests, as Oddisee moves away from his previous virtuoso efforts. He described the album as “a musical journey of my life in recent years”; it’s certainly more introspective than The Iceberg.
The album sees Oddisee explore human ambition, typified on the track ‘How Far’, where he asks, “How far will you go?”. Over 16 tracks, he dives into human psychology, questioning incentives and motivation. He also addresses his own mental health issues, with ‘Many Hats’ inspired by his therapy sessions. The record is built around his laid-back, east coast-influenced sound, with mellow beats and plenty of soulful energy. It’s an an album that gently washes over you, soothing and melodious.
The album benefits from its rich instrumentation, straight from the opening track, ‘The Start of Something’, which starts as a swooning piano ballad before being uplifted by some gently drifting strings. ‘Already Know’ finishes with a funky violin breakdown, while ‘More to Go’ features some beautiful horn sounds and hazy guitars, the sound of a lazy Sunday afternoon in the sun. The riffs throughout are understated, providing a gentle, funky energy, while the keys float across, matching Oddisee’s energy. All the instruments swim together in perfect harmony, dancing around Oddisee’s words.
The multiple features provide some nice soulful cuts, especially on ‘Choices’, where Kay Young proves some excellent vocals. When Oddisee is flying solo, he uses neat harmonies to lift the tracks up, such as on the hard-hitting ‘How Far’. At times the record is irresistibly catchy, full of hooky choruses, a highlight being the sunshine dripping ‘Try Again’. The whole album has an optimistic feel, full of easy-going grooves that get you gently swaying.
Oddisee’s soul-searching mirrors the soulful vibe as he places himself under the microscope. ‘Many Hats’ is a powerful take on self-identity, as Oddisee sings, “To many people, I’m many things/But never me”, addressing how he shapeshifts to be the person he feels people need. ‘Hard to Tell’ is similarly introspective, as he describes how he “started to trip into the abyss”, affected by broken friendships. ‘Ghetto to Meadow’ is one of the record’s most compelling moments, a powerful take on racial injustice and the disadvantages faced by young black Americans, with Philadelphia rapper Freeway bringing some excellent bars.
To What End is full of variety and subtly crafted; it’s a record that gently envelops you. Oddisee shows he has retained his craftsmanship, while the guest stars make a welcome addition, giving the record some added impetus.