EARMILK EARMILK
  • NEW MUSIC
    • DANCE
    • ELECTRONIC
    • EXPERIMENTAL
    • HIP-HOP
    • INDIE
    • POP
    • ROCK
  • INDUSTRY NEWS
    • DOCUMENTARIES
    • EVENTS
    • FASHION
    • LIFESTYLE
    • MUSIC GEAR
    • MUSIC INDUSTRY
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • OPINION
  • ALBUM REVIEWS
  • GEAR REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • FEATURES
    • FESTIVALS
    • EXCLUSIVES
    • LISTS
    • CONTESTS
    • Photo Journals
  • SERIES
    • Artist to Watch
    • Under The Crust
    • Flashback Friday
    • Suicide Sundaes
    • Daily 2%
    • The Club
    • Weekend Selector
    • Mashup Mondays
    • Artist Remixed
    • Wobble Wednesday
    • Night Rumours
    • Indie Sabbath
    • Straight No Chase
    • Straight From the Teet
  • Jobs
  • About EARMILK
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Music
EARMILK EARMILK
EARMILK EARMILK
  • NEW MUSIC
    • DANCE
    • ELECTRONIC
    • EXPERIMENTAL
    • HIP-HOP
    • INDIE
    • POP
    • ROCK
  • INDUSTRY NEWS
    • DOCUMENTARIES
    • EVENTS
    • FASHION
    • LIFESTYLE
    • MUSIC GEAR
    • MUSIC INDUSTRY
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • OPINION
  • ALBUM REVIEWS
  • GEAR REVIEWS
  • INTERVIEWS
  • FEATURES
    • FESTIVALS
    • EXCLUSIVES
    • LISTS
    • CONTESTS
    • Photo Journals
  • SERIES
    • Artist to Watch
    • Under The Crust
    • Flashback Friday
    • Suicide Sundaes
    • Daily 2%
    • The Club
    • Weekend Selector
    • Mashup Mondays
    • Artist Remixed
    • Wobble Wednesday
    • Night Rumours
    • Indie Sabbath
    • Straight No Chase
    • Straight From the Teet
  • Alternative R&B
  • Funk
  • Jazz Hop
  • Psychedelic

BLK ODYSSY tackles the hardest questions in 'BLK VINTAGE'

  • August 27, 2021
  • John Peterson
Total
0
Shares
0
0

Music can be beautiful, and music can be uncomfortable. What exists in BLK ODYSSY's stunning debut album BLK VINTAGE is the type of sound that is beautifully uncomfortable. Raising oft-asked, but rarely answered questions on the turbulence of the black experience in America, Sam Houston's newly solo project after he shifted from his previously Americana-based anthems, focuses on highly topical and important meditations that our society needs to be focusing on in order to grow.  The Plainsfield, NJ-born, now Austin-based mastermind's new project accomplishes the absolute pinnacle of what music should be; an enjoyable, transformative and utterly soul-bending narration of experiences translated into a universal medium.  

From the first notes of BLK VINTAGE's intro track, you can tell it's going to be special.  Sultry samples and choirs build anticipation for a funky and complicated rollercoaster of emotions.  Following track "FUNKENTOLOGY" is a clear homage to fellow Plainsfield native George Clinton, a highly ambitious tribute to one of the genre's greatest acts.  But Houston pulls it off, with all the grace and allure of a genre heavyweight.  A brief tonal shift occurs at "HANG LOW" which functions as a soulful, light-hearted bedroom jam in the midst of the tumultuous project.  "BIG BAD WOLF/SOBER" throws the listener right back into the emotional vortex, however, with bone-rattling bass replacing the sultry vibes and distortion-addled anger with an arresting barrage of impassioned lyrics.  "GHOST RIDE" finds Houston fully delving into the jazz-rap influences of the project, another torrid sample-based masterpiece.  The track is accompanied by a dynamic dual visual paired with similarly nuanced, jazz-hop banger "NINETEEN EIGHTY".  The moving final track "DRINKING GOOD" is BLK ODYSSY's "Sing About Me, I'm Dying Of Thirst"; a paralyzingly emotional rumination on the state of being black in America following the death of Houston's brother at the hands of police.  

BLK ODYSSY exists somewhere between the topical and liberating abstract jazz-funk of Fela Kuti, the smoky and distinct introspection of Kendrick Lamar, and the billowing neo-soul of D'Angelo.  What emerges is one of the most inspired and important projects of the year, and undoubtedly the birth of a new and luminous star for modern funk music.  

Connect with BLK ODYSSY:  Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube | SoundCloud | Instagram | Twitter 

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Share 0
Share 0
Related Topics
  • Austin
  • BLK ODYSSY
  • Plainsfield
John Peterson

A&R, artist management, and overall music nerd

Previous Article
  • Hip-Hop
  • Mainstage
  • Music Videos
  • Rap

Babyface Ray, Big Sean, and Hit-Boy deliver on “It Ain’t My Fault” [Video]

  • August 27, 2021
  • Kalen Murphy
View Article
Next Article
  • Alternative
  • Pop

Gabe Kubanda drops hard hitting new single "Back on Track"

  • August 27, 2021
  • Alexander Zwerner
View Article
You May Also Like
View Article
  • Ambient
  • New Music
  • Psychedelic

SORRYNOTSORRY drench new single "Disappear" in tears

  • September 17, 2025
View Article
  • Alternative
  • Alternative R&B
  • Ambient
  • Ambient R&B
  • Atmospheric
  • Easy Listening
  • Feature
  • Future R&B
  • Indie
  • Melodic
  • Music Videos
  • New Music
  • R&B
  • Reviews
  • Soul
  • Uncategorized
  • Videos

Cautious Clay finds intimacy in "Art Museum (2am)"

  • September 13, 2025
View Article
  • Alt-Pop
  • Alternative R&B
  • Indie
  • New Music

Planet McKenna drops debut single, "Follow the Signs"

  • September 12, 2025
View Article
  • Psychedelic
  • World Music

AKIRA Blends Tradition and Modernity on "Niños del Bosque"

  • September 10, 2025
View Article
  • Funk
  • Hip-Hop
  • Indie

Duke Charelle shares funk-fueled musical celebration with "Tangerine Sky"

  • September 4, 2025
View Article
  • Alternative R&B
  • Electro R&B
  • Electronic
  • Glitch
  • Interviews
  • Mainstage
  • Neo-Soul

Magi Merlin on Broken R&B, Exploring Lyrical Themes, and Her FME 2025 Debut [Interview]

  • September 3, 2025
View Article
  • Alternative R&B
  • New Music

Latte Samuels drops new single “Evil Eye” showcasing bold alt R&B sound

  • September 3, 2025
View Article
  • Alternative R&B
  • Hip-Hop
  • Rap

Kueen shares refreshing new project, 'Got Juice?'

  • August 29, 2025
Popular Music
  • LOGAN TAYLOR
    Logan Taylor shines with raw honesty in "Light Me Up" [Album]
    • September 17, 2025
  • Big Sleep shares defiant offering "Don’t You Wanna"
    • September 17, 2025
  • Alexander James Rodriguez shares pulsing, nostalgic disco anthem "One Night Only"
    • September 17, 2025
  • Lydia the Bard
    Lydia the Bard delivers a darkly infused villain anthem with "Die For Me"
    • September 17, 2025
  • Seekah Lytess
    Seekah Lytess elevates spirits and memories into "Levitated"
    • September 17, 2025
Recent Scoops
  • Jay Tone is carving out his space with "Puzzles"
    • July 7, 2025
  • Matt Oakley is redefining country music with heart, soul and modernity
    • May 5, 2025
  • Texas’ Blacktop Mojo does rock music the way it should be done
    • April 29, 2025
  • Tha Rapper Haiti blends authentic style with musical passion
    • April 28, 2025
Community Voices
  • From Machismo To Mujeres: Women As The Face Of Reggaeton
    • July 14, 2022
  • Tyler the creator
    4 things I learned on the 'Call Me If You Get Lost' tour
    • March 31, 2022
  • 4 things every artist needs to think about in 2022
    • January 27, 2022
  • The TikTok Takeover of Hip-Hop
    • January 11, 2022

EARMILK EARMILK
  • Jobs
  • About EARMILK
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Music
All Milk. No Duds.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.