ODESZA‘s highly-anticipated new album, The Last Goodbye, dropped last Friday, and while we settle into all of its beauty, the duo has offered up more information on the project. In a recent Twitter thread, the duo shared a breakdown of each of the tracks on the album, giving us more context behind the making of The Last Goodbye.
You can read the breakdowns of every song from The Last Goodbye below. Enjoy!
1 – This Version of You
The spoken word from this is a recorded therapy session that was found 3 years later. We thought her message and delivery were a perfect way to introduce people to the album, It’s theme and act as a guide for the listener.
— ODESZA (@odesza) July 25, 2022
2 – Wide Awake
When Charlie Houston sent us back this vocal we were immediately drawn to her melodies and tone. Her laid-back delivery paired with a more energetic instrumental was a nice way of pushing the dynamics of the song.
— ODESZA (@odesza) July 25, 2022
2 – Wide Awake
When Charlie Houston sent us back this vocal we were immediately drawn to her melodies and tone. Her laid-back delivery paired with a more energetic instrumental was a nice way of pushing the dynamics of the song.
The Knocks sent us a demo for this 3 years prior when we were on tour. When we finally sent them some ideas back it happened to be the day they were going to release their version! A really fun collab that we’re so happy to be apart of.
— ODESZA (@odesza) July 25, 2022
4 – Behind the Sun
The vocal sample is originally from the Iranian singer Simin Ghanem’s song Sib. Her vocal is so powerful we wanted to make an instrumental that matched the energy of her voice by layering in big orchestral pieces and massive drums.
— ODESZA (@odesza) July 25, 2022
5 – Forgive Me
This song originally started as a much slower instrumental but we found Izzy Bizu’s vocal to be so catchy and energetic that we sped it up to create one of our favorite dance tracks on the record.
— ODESZA (@odesza) July 25, 2022
6 – North Garden
This track is a nod to our past. Writing this one felt like we were back in our dorm rooms jamming on tunes.
— ODESZA (@odesza) July 25, 2022
7 – Better Now
We showed this track to a lot of different vocalists and while we were excited about it, it didn’t seem to resonate with anyone else until MARO. She sent us back this top line and we were absolutely floored.
— ODESZA (@odesza) July 25, 2022
8 – The Last Goodbye
The bass line and jam section of this track were added at the end and came together while just hanging out one day. One of those happy accidents that we thought really brought the track to the next level.
— ODESZA (@odesza) July 25, 2022
9 – All My Life
This ones an ode to our parents. The lyrics “Watching me all my life, but you can’t help” represent the idea that you can care and watch over a person you love all their life but it’s up to them in the end to become the person they want to be
— ODESZA (@odesza) July 25, 2022
10 – Equal
This track is one of the more minimal tunes on the album. At any given moment there are only 3 or 4 pieces playing. Using space we wanted to give each element room to shine. Also Lapsley is the best.
— ODESZA (@odesza) July 25, 2022
11 – Healing Grid
The first time Harrison sang on an ODESZA track! We love the euphoric and sunny energy of this one.
— ODESZA (@odesza) July 25, 2022
12 – I Can’t Sleep
Our first song in 3/4 time signature and a bit of an ode to Summer’s Gone. Using various samples, arps, and heavy drums we wanted to make something that felt nostalgic.
— ODESZA (@odesza) July 25, 2022
13 – Light of Day
The first song we finished for the album and in a way a guiding light for the rest of the record. We want our albums to feel like they are telling a story and this felt like the perfect bookend.
— ODESZA (@odesza) July 25, 2022