Tom Odell’s “Black Friday”

In his most candid album to date, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter lays it all out… on the line.

By Sophia Goetz

With his groundbreaking sixth studio album "Black Friday," multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter Tom Odell has discovered beauty in embracing the uncomfortable. Although he is no stranger to succinct poetry, "Black Friday" takes it a step further by offering his reflections on the complexities of love and relationships. It takes courage to put everything on the line, especially given societal expectations of men.

The 13 tracks have powerful affectation accompanying them. Everyone will be able to relate to "Black Friday" on multiple levels due to its profound themes of loss, fear, nostalgia, and the frailty of human connection. It is analogous to a film that is honest, melancholic, and eerie.

With a diverse range of influences like Luca Guadagnino's “Call Me By Your Name” and poet William Blake, it is commendable that Odell is delving deeply both artistically and emotionally.

In "The End of Summer" where Tom Odell deftly navigates the ephemeral nature of a previous romance, Odell becomes elevated by his own authenticity and narrative. Though he uses seasonal metaphors to explore the cycle of an ending relationship, contemplating a rueful and world-weary "Can't believe I used to get to kiss you", there is still hope towards the conclusion as he celebrates with the line "I'm cold, like the autumn leaves."

One of the album's best songs, "Black Friday," set the tone for Odell's upcoming creative endeavors and rose to mainstream infamy on TikTok. Tom belittles himself in this melancholic acoustic ballad, saying "I wanna be perfect like all your other friends," and reflecting on the difficulties of relationships and how we can second-guess them. It is a raw and emotional masterpiece.