Herald (album)
Herald | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 5 February 2021 | |||
Genre | Electronic[1] | |||
Length | 39:48 | |||
Label | EMI Music Australia | |||
Producer | Damian Taylor | |||
Odette chronology | ||||
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Singles from Herald | ||||
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Herald is the second studio album by Australian musician Odette, released on 5 February 2021 through EMI Music Australia.
Supported by the singles "Feverbreak", "Dwell", and "Amends" and "Trial by Fire"—Herald debuted and peaked at number 47 on the ARIA Albums Chart.
Background[]
The album follows on three years after Odette's debut album, To a Stranger (2018), which received high critical acclaim and two ARIA Awards nominations in the year of release.[2]
Discussing the album in a press release, Odette stated:
"This album is sort of a nuanced discussion of the positives and the negatives of mental illness and also just being a human being. It talks about the realities of hurting others, the consequences of that, and even more so, it holds me accountable—it holds me to my word."[2]
Recording[]
Odette collaborated with producer Damian Taylor during recording sessions, who previously produced her debut album.[3]
Composition[]
The album as a whole discusses themes of transitioning from adolescence to adulthood,[3] and mental health,[4] whilst "Dwell" is "anchored in Odette's own [sic] reflections on grief and the manifestations of emotional negativity."[5]
In an interview with Triple J, Odette described the album as focussed sonically around "a classic scale with electronic elements."[1]
Release[]
Herald's title and release date were announced on 20 October 2020.[6]
The album was released on 5 February 2021 on CD,[7] LP,[8] digital download, and streaming formats.[9] A bone-coloured edition of the vinyl was also made available exclusively at Australian JB Hi-Fi stores.[10]
Promotion[]
Singles[]
Herald was supported by four singles.
"Feverbreak", a collaboration with Hermitude, was released as the album's lead single on 14 February 2020.[11]
"Dwell" was released as the second single on 20 October 2020.[6]
"Amends" was released as the third single on 8 January 2021.[12]
"Trial by Fire" was serviced to Australian contemporary hit radio as the album's fourth and final single on 14 May 2021.[13]
Live performances[]
On 15 November 2020, Odette performed "Dwell" live for Australian live music program The Sound.[14]
On 19 November 2020, Odette performed "Dwell" live on Triple J's Like a Version segment, alongside a cover of AC/DC's "Thunderstruck".[15]
Critical reception[]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Exclaim! | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Music | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Herald received favourable reviews from music critics.
Exclaim!'s Urbi Khan labelled it a "coming-of-age album". Khan felt that "[Odette] sheds her past self and creates the new out of the ashes".[16]
Guido Farnell from The Music was positive in his review of the album, noting "there is great poetic intent driving her somewhat lovelorn lyrical observations."[17]
Mid-year lists[]
Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
The Music | The Music's Top 25 Albums Of 2021 (So Far) | N/A |
Track listing[]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Herald" |
| 3:43 | |
2. | "Dwell" |
| Countbounce | 3:17 |
3. | "Trial by Fire" |
| 4:58 | |
4. | "What I Know Is Not Enough" |
| 5:04 | |
5. | "I Miss You, I'm Sorry" | Sallybanks | 3:16 | |
6. | "Foghorn" | Sallybanks | 3:08 | |
7. | "Feverbreak" (featuring Hermitude) |
| Hermitude | 4:17 |
8. | "Amends" | Sallybanks | Taylor | 3:31 |
9. | "Why Can't I Let the Sun Set?" | Sallybanks | 2:30 | |
10. | "Wait for You" | Sallybanks | 2:39 | |
11. | "Mandible" |
| 3:25 | |
Total length: | 39:48 |
Personnel[]
- Odette – writing, vocals (1–11)
Other musicians
- Hermitude – production (7)
- Damian Taylor – production (1–11)
- Pip Norman – writing (2)
- Jantine Heij – writing (2)
- Nat Dunn – writing (2)[19]
Charts[]
Chart (2021) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (ARIA)[20] | 47 |
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Odette covers AC/DC's 'Thunderstruck' for Like a Version". Triple J. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Odette premieres video for new single 'Amends'". BroadwayWorld. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Enis, Eli (22 October 2020). "Odette announces new album Herald, shares new song "Dwell": Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ James Young, David (5 February 2021). "On Rage & Redemption: Odette opens up about the mental health battles that loom large on 'Herald'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ Fuamoli, Sose (21 October 2020). "First Spin: Odette uses new track to evolve and 'expel rage'". Triple J. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Langford, Jackson (20 October 2020). "Odette announces new album 'Herald'". NME Australia. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ "Herald by Odette at JB Hi-Fi". JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ "Herald (Swamp Green Vinyl) by Odette at JB Hi-Fi". JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ "Herald by Odette on Apple Music". Retrieved 4 January 2021 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "Herald (JB Hi-Fi Australian Exclusive Bone Vinyl) by Odette at JB Hi-Fi". JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ James Young, David (14 February 2021). "Odette releases Hermitude collaboration 'Feverbreak', announces launch shows". NME Australia. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ Rose, Anna (8 January 2021). "Listen to Odette's new single, 'Amends'". NME Australia. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ "Singles to Radio". The Music Network. 14 May 2021. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Paul Kelly leads The Sound's Christmas special on ABC TV this week". Double J. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ Bruce, Jasper (19 November 2020). "Odette covers 'Thunderstruck' by AC/DC for triple j's Like a Version". NME Australia. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Khan, Urbi (3 February 2021). "Odette comes of age on 'Herald'". Exclaim!. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Farnell, Guido (2 February 2021). "Odette / Herald: Album Review". The Music. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
- ^ "Are these the best albums of 2021 so far?". The Music. 1 July 2021. Archived from the original on 1 July 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ Weiss, Suzannah (21 October 2020). "Odette announces sophomore LP Herald with premiere of "Dwell" video". Audio Femme. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 15 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
- 2021 albums
- Odette (musician) albums
- Albums produced by Damian Taylor