Tom Odell - Best Day of My Life

by Nick Dent-Robinson

published: 19 / 12 / 2022

Label: UROK/mtheory
Format: CD

Evocative and honest fifth album from singer-songwriter Tom Odell in which he reflects on his battles with mental health

Review

For those who enjoy sad songs - especially soul-baring ballads - there is much to enjoy in the hauntingly beautiful tracks of ‘Best Day Of My Life’, Tom Odell's new album. But if you find a diet of melancholy tough to stomach, then maybe this isn't the record for you! Odell, now 31, won the Critics' Choice Award nine years ago and he has subsequently made four major label albums of mainstream piano pop. ‘Jubilee Road’ in 2018 was very reminiscent of Billy Joel's early work. And Odell's breakthrough hit ‘Another Love’ has been streamed hundreds of millions of times, becoming an anthem of hope for Ukraine. This fifth album, ‘Best Day Of My Life’, is very different. Odell is now an independent artist, having parted company with Columbia Records, and he is using his new-found freedom boldly. He has limited himself to just vocals and keyboards with the odd flick of auto-tune and his whole approach on the new record is very much “less is more”. Through the various tracks, Odell is open about his battles with anxiety and the songs, set loosely across a single day, examine many of his vulnerabilities with real sensitivity. Indeed, a few critics have suggested that Odell's emotions seem so raw at times on this new album that some listeners may fear for his well-being. He does, however, balance the gloom with some stunning piano interludes and, on ‘Smiling All The Way Back Home’, there is a welcome burst of optimism as Odell relishes the buzz of new love.

Track Listing:-

1 Best Day Of My Life
2 Sad Anymore
3 Sunrise___
4 Just Another Thing We Don’t Talk About
5 The Blood We Bleed
6 Giving A Fuck
7 Librium
8 Flying :))
9 Enemy
10 Monday
11 ___Sunset
12 Smiling All The Way Back Home