To listen to BLK ODYSSY’s newest album 1-800 FANTASY once simply doesn’t do it justice. Since releasing his first album in 2021 through the record label EMPIRE, BLK ODYSSY has developed a reputation for crafting sonic experiences that leave listeners wanting more. The Austin-based music project released their third studio album on July 19 which blends funk, R&B and indie pop-rock.
The album features a cascading collage of emotions ranging from melancholic personal reflection to funky romantic love songs and everything in between. Coming in at just under 40 minutes, the runtime of the album leaves just enough room for the artist to tell interesting stories without feeling bloated or lengthy. Every minute of 1-800 FANTASY is perfectly crafted and nothing is wasted.
The album tells the story of a teenage boy in the ‘90s trying to win the affection of a woman he fell in love with through a phone sex hotline. The fragility of their relationship causes the singer to develop second thoughts about if she truly loves him, driving the singer to mania.
Singles “WANT YOU,” “XXX” featuring Wiz Khalifa and “PHASE” preceded the album. Notably some of the more radio-friendly records, lead singer Sam Houston’s occasionally dark lyrics are masked by groovy guitar and drum instrumentals.
On the song “CHASING FANTASIES,” the singer opens with the lyrics “My skin is bruised from head to toe / I sorta like the pain I felt / Do you like it when I hurt myself” in a brooding and melancholic penultimate track. The song serves as a stark contrast to the album’s otherwise mostly upbeat and euphoric sound.
The sixth song, “DELILAH,” reflects the overall feeling of the album: euphoria. Recounting a funky encounter with a lover, BLK ODYSSY sings “Your eyes on me intoxicate / Just follow me, I know a place / Where you and me can get away / There’s a girl in my dreams and she’s in love with me.”
At its core, 1-800 FANTASY represents the fluidity and creativity that makes the Austin music scene so important. The album seamlessly flows between upbeat groovy tracks and depressing moments of self-reflection.
In the song “CREEP,” the thread of introspection continues by illustrating the admiration and desire for someone who hasn’t even had a full conversation with the singer (“All your friends laughed at me when I brought those flowers to your front door / Baby I ain’t tripping that just makes me want you more”).
To support the album, BLK ODYSSY announced the Fantasy House Tour which will begin on Aug. 31 at Antone’s Nightclub in downtown Austin. The tour will also visit cities across the United States, Canada and Europe.
Standout tracks from the album include “XXX” featuring Wiz Khalifa, “GEMINI” featuring Jackie Giroux, “DELILAH,” and “CHASING FANTASIES.” On 1-800 FANTASY, a truly underrated artist has made a beautifully succinct expression of fantastical love and introspection with an unforgettable no-skip album.
5 FANTASIES OUT OF 5
