Odia are a band whose music moves forward. To say this of a group sounds disingenuous. But the colourful and propulsive myriad of instrumentation that elegantly floods their newest single makes this statement wholeheartedly sincere.
The single’s title – ‘Gods of Guilt’ – sounds like it ought to be penned by a ‘70s psychedelic band (you can almost imagine Roger Dean mood-boarding the very words). But it’s bombastic Celtic folk that Odia creates. That mixed with an digitised flair – think groups like Air or The Books.
Odia’s album Prize Fighter, released last year, was creatively chaotic. A year on and the band sound tighter on ‘Gods of Guilt’. Each performer sounds telepathically connected, even when playing at speed.
Locked into a pulsating string pattern, a cornucopia of folk instrumentation beguiles the listener. Despite the fullness of ‘Gods of Guilt’, it’s a surprisingly spacious presentation.
The song’s title comes from the band’s belief that ‘people lie, but then eventually the truth comes out and you are victorious.’ It explains the resolute and purposeful nature of this five-minute instrumental which justifies its length with consistent thrills.
Without words, portraying meaning is fraught with difficulty. But “Gods of Guilt’ is purposeful to the point that Odia’s description of lies resurfacing seems to be a perfect fit.
Undoubtedly aiding this are jaded electronic diversions, at times dissonant, sounding like a maniacal dentist’s drill piercing the beauty of the traditional instruments, rather like the uncomfortable surfacing of a previously well-constructed lie.
Above all it’s Odia’s complex playing that makes ‘Gods of Guilt’ exciting. While instrumental and lengthy, it’s entertainingly imperious throughout.
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