Released: 26th October 2018
Published by Columbia Records
With his third major release, Tom Odell looks to optimistic pastures and delivering another round of expertly composed piano melodies.
When compared to his solemn beginnings in Long Way Down and the louder more high-class style of Wrong Crowd, Jubilee Road is more upbeat, a set of delicate tracks inspired by Tom’s personal life in East London. He treats these past events with a reflective and nostalgic gaze, the lyrics mostly relaying anecdotes and short stories. Overall, the piano has been placed as the backbone of the music, a return to the original complexity that made Odell so engaging in his debut five years ago. The best representation of this is “If you wanna love somebody”, which makes use of an excellent choir build-up to complement Tom’s powerful voice.
Despite sitting in familiar territory, Jubilee Road boasts good variety. With faster tempos and rapid flourishes, Son of an Only Child and China Dolls are more swinging, channelling Elton John’s lively sensibilities. “Half as good as you”, the artist’s first duet with English-German signer Alice Merton makes great use of dynamics, playing the voices off each other to create a very soothing blend. It shows Odell has great potential for further collaborations. On the other hand: “You’re gonna break my heart tonight” and “Queen of Diamonds” are more mellow, providing a more subdued atmosphere to break up the pace of the album.
By playing to his strengths and applying them to a more uplifting tone, Tom Odell’s third album is a strong effort. Both his vocals and piano playing are excellent, giving every track a memorable feel; the gradual tonal shift between albums marks a full spectrum of exploration for Tom’s talents. For the future, he’ll have to branch out and apply himself to new sub-genres.
Rating: Grade B