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Jul 24, 2024 Web Exclusive By Frank Valish

After releasing her first song to TikTok, the result of a bet with her roommates in 2020, Odie Leigh has put out two EPs of gentle singer/songwritery tunes that evidenced her knack with a melody but suffered from a lack of immediacy. Leigh’s debut full-length album, Carrier Pigeon, fully presents her potential in a set of 10 tunes that veer from her previous acoustic guitar-centric work and showcase an expanded musical vision.

Largely, the songs on Carrier Pigeon evidence a heftier, fleshed-out instrumental approach and a more vibrant pop tunefulness. Tracks like “Already (On My Mind)” and “Conversation Starter” jump with perfect pop melodicism and, in the case of the former, horn accents. Leigh is a master at exposing vulnerabilities and putting her insecurities on full display, which when set to a jumpy melody is both engaging and relatable. And it is these songs on Carrier Pigeon that are most successful.

Leigh does retain some of her past tendencies. “Finer Things” harkens back to the sound of her EPs, a light acoustic guitar-and-voice lullaby, and songs like “Common Denominator” and “Idiom” retain a mellower vibe throughout. But it’s the newer Odie Leigh that ultimately captivates the most. (www.odieleigh.com)

Author rating: 7/10