Josephine Odhil – Monstera (pre-order)

Gritty beats, unsettling soundscapes, and enigmatic whispered melodies. Amsterdam based Josephine Odhil is a creator in the truest sense of the word. Working with the mediums of music and visual art, she takes inspiration from wherever it is to be found, diving into a year-long exploration of evil through literature and cinema, and keenly observing the darker aspects of the human psyche. The result: an intriguing sonic experience that speaks to dark tourists, (un)true crime lovers, and Pop Noir enthusiasts.    

A conceptual thinker, she concerns herself with stories and how to tell them - a style of working that features prominently in her lyrics. These reflect feelings and ideas stemming from her inner world, wrapped in symbolism for the listener to unfold. Many of her lyrics contain secret references to her sources of inspiration, waiting to be found by like minded souls - creating somewhat of a secret undercurrent in the form of an intimate meta-conversation with her listeners. 

Magic realism is a term that comes to mind when describing her work, countered with hints of surrealism, esotericism and futurism - perhaps most aptly labeled as ‘Surrealist Artpop’. Inspired by the likes of Broadcast, Unloved and Vanishing Twin - but also lyrical storytellers like Kate Bush and conceptual works such as Plantasia - ‘psychedelic pop’ is an initially luring term that nevertheless fails to evoke the intellectual and artistic depths of Josephine’s creative world. This world is visually depicted in the artwork accompanying the music, also from her hand. Furthermore, the extroverted association one might have with ‘pop’ stands in contrast with the enticing invitation Josephine extends to dive inwards. Accordingly, it leaves just the right amount of room for the listener’s own interpretation and imagination.

Having performed on notable (inter)national stages such as Lowlands, Transmusicales and Into The Great Wide Open with her former band The Mysterons, Josephine embarks on a new, exciting chapter with Josephine Odhil. After releasing her debut album Volatile in January 2023 her new album will be out on April 11, 2025.