Known for his standout single, “whisper and the wind,” bodie has gained acclaim since starting his career in 2017. Blending multiple genres within each of his tracks, bodie has been described as a “genre-blurring” artist. His newest album, NO SKIPS, is no exception to this rule.
“RIP,” which is nominated for two Dove Awards, kicks off the album. Opening with distorted, chugging guitar and distant vocals, the track is then transformed by a percussive hip-hop beat. bodie shows off his skills with soaring vocals and introspective lyricism, which then shift once again into an alt-rock anthem.
“I just want something holy / Only you and you only / So I’ll keep dying to who I am and to who I used to be / RIP to the old me.”
Setting the tone with driving guitar, atmospheric effects, and echoing vocals, “RIGHT PLACE” builds into a rock track that invites listeners to sing along. The breakdown has distortion, pounding rhythms, and screaming guitar, ending on bodie’s exposed vocals.
Acoustic guitar and honest lyricism open the third track, “SETTLE.” This track slowly evolves from stripped back dreamy guitar riffs into an alt-pop anthem. bodie’s soaring vocals, vocal harmonies, and lush textures make this a standout track on this album.
“I won’t settle / Cause I know better / I’m already so obsessed / Can’t go back to second best / Cause I know better / I won’t settle”
“SAY SO” opens with smooth guitar, exposed vocals, and a trap-inspired beat to drive the piece forward. “If you say so, say so / I know it’s okay to let go, let go / All my worries out the window, I know / I’ll believe it if you say so.” This piece feels like a moment of surrender-letting go and trusting others, knowing that we don’t always have all the answers.
Experimenting with synth and a pulsing guitar ostinato, “GOOD OLD DAYS” expands with an explosive drum kit, driving rhythm, echoed harmonies, and exciting arpeggios. Building with a tom-forward drumbeat, the song then takes a step back as the track is stripped down to acoustic guitar and vocal harmonies. The build begins again, layer by layer, eventually transforming into an alt-pop track with accented hits. The listener is shifted back and forth between the swells and dips of the song’s instrumentation and texture. The piece concludes with stripped-back strings, piano, and clear vocals.
“This is my comeback phase / These are those / Good old days.”
After winning the International Songwriting Competition (ISC), it's no surprise that “whisper and the wind” is a stunning track. Characterized by acoustic guitar ostinato, syncopated strings, and supportive piano chords, this track builds into an anthem. The breakdown introduces rock-inspired accents and gritty vocals. It then decrescendos and builds once again, striving for the closure of the piece, which slowly tapers out with piano chords.
Introduced by a clapping rhythm, synth brass, and a trap-inspired beat, the titular track “NO SKIPS” is an upbeat transition after the heartfelt piece before. Introspective lyricism sets this track apart, and the pauses in the instrumentation allow the lyrics space to shine.
“Why are thoughts so cheap? Why is time so expensive? / Why’s my mind so weak when I’m just trying to pay attention / When it’s less about me and more about lettin’ / The good times roll, the bad times, too”
Characterized by echoed vocals, tom-forward drums, and electric guitar, alt-pop “LIAR LIAR” catches the listener’s ear. The track takes a step back, introducing acoustic guitar and layered harmonies, before exploding once again as the bodie sings the chorus. Rock guitar and alt-inspired drum breakdowns are met with a hip-hip infused beat that puts this track in a category all its own.
Ticking clocks and twinkling synths open “KNOW.” Smooth guitar arpeggios support bodie’s vocals as percussion, reminiscent of heartbeats, moves the piece forward. During the exposed pauses in this alt-pop track, there are mechanical sound effects that are a jarring contrast to the smooth vocals. Midway through, the piece transitions with trap-inspired beats, once again showing bodie’s love of genre-blurring. The chorus maintains the alt-pop feel, and the end of the song returns to its opening sound and texture.
“Tired of striving to feel alive just for a moment / I’m at a loss working so hard, don’t wanna force it / I’m running from rest, and trying to hide this aimless devotion"
Taking a gentle turn, “heaven knows i’ve tried” opens with soft piano, tender vocals, and gentle strings. This touching piece slowly evolves with the introduction of a hip-hop beat that propels it forward. The song builds into a rock-inspired chorus, overlapping three disparate genres into one carefully curated track.
“I’m bending and breaking, and chasing the highs / Stuck in my ways til I lay down my pride”
Catch bodie on tour this fall
