Mini LP Review: Out of the Oddness

Tom Lee-Richards is a solo artist described as an emotive storyteller. A native of Whangarei, he began his musical journey at the young age of 4. Tom has been experimenting with sounds and lyrics most of his life. 14 saw him gigging and experimenting on the guitar, by which time he had developed a colourful beat boxing language. Having completed a BA in Jazz Bass and being front man in a Reggae group, he moved to Melbourne, where his most recent band Catch Release landed in the top 3 of AMRAP’S charts with a Soul-Folk E.P described as “masterful” by Tone Deaf. Completing his first EU tour including shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Tom Lee-Richards is now launching his debut mini LP Out of the Oddness to be accompanied by a symbolic and visually impressive video.

Eight tracks based around feelings and emotions, “exploring themes of separation, adulthood, change and loss”.
 

Out of the Oddness is the title track to this mini LP, it also happens to be Tom’s recently released single of the same name. The track itself is reminiscent of his first day at primary school in a big new city where he had the misfortune of breaking his arm. It captures his childhood experiences and perceptions beautifully, the story he told was a poignant tale of pain and loss. The video to accompany the track is fresh, evocative and slightly whimsical, we see him in his childhood school playground “witnessing his escapism into both real and imaginative childhood memories.” The addition of large wings, adding a symbolic touch to the visual impact of the video.

The entire mini-LP is a mix of clean beats and deliciously layered vocals, injected with a jazzy vibe, it has an Indie feel to it, but electronic pop would be a good description. Out of the Oddness is an expressive mix of nostalgic, sensitive storytelling. Tom Lee-Richards distinctive artistic vision guides us through these 8 tracks effortlessly.

The album cover is a creative concept capturing Tom standing under a stark tree on the beach with a yacht tangled in its branches. Clearly well thought out album art infused with a personal meaning. The visuals and images are of the highest standard, all aspects working together to allow the story to unfold in a unique and expressive way.

To celebrate the release of Out of the Oddness Mini-LP, Tom will be touring New Zealand through March and April, 2018.

★★★★ (4 stars)

_{Review written by Corinne Rutherford}