Odyssey by Kazyak

Odyssey is Kazyak’s most pioneering work yet, following the Happy Camping EP (2017) and the Reflection LP (2018). On the surface, Odyssey is extremely satisfying indie rock ear candy. Dig a little deeper and find intricate connections between lyrical, visual and aural elements.

From guitarist/songwriter Peter Frey’s perspective, the album is “more rugged, forward-looking and psychedelic than our past releases. It’s the first record we’ve recorded live, and is channeling inspiration from Patagonia and themes from Joseph Campbell’s The Power of Myth. It attempts to capture the desire to explore and to take the listener to the edge of discovery.”

Kazyak is no stranger to taking chances with sound and Odyssey is proof. The songwriting is on the same level as past releases, but the focus here is that they’ve turned up the psychedelic knob several notches - wetter vocals, an orchestrated Prophet V and Juno 106 synth-combo, and heroic guitar hooks, held together by solid drums and bass. The album contains a countless string of highlights, beginning with Contravertical, a deep dive into the unknown. The fourth track, Camouflage, is a heavy-hitting stoner anthem about trying to blend in (things are moving really fast / it’s all part of the plan / said I’d kick the habit but I just kick the can).

Track five, Zombie Dream, is the obvious single portraying a slow-core, zombie apocalypse dreamscape whose chorus cops the opening lines from Bob Dylan’s Mama You’ve Been on My Mind. And finally, Smoke Jumper offers a floaty, high-powered jam where listeners will feel swept off the ground by a strong breeze (feel the force of the lift / the direction and drift). With Odyssey, Kazyak gives listeners plenty to explore.

Tracklist

1.	Contravertical	6:08

2.	Discover	6:02

3.	Paper Bird	5:40

4.	Camouflage	5:08

5.	Zombie Dream	4:35

6.	Smoke Jumper	5:11

7.	Rocket	2:02

8.	Be the Sun	7:33

Credits

released August 16, 2019

Audio engineering by Brett Bullion
Mastered by Huntley Miller

License