Review
Ódú
Conversations EP

Independent (2017) Aideen

Ódú – Conversations EP cover artwork
Ódú – Conversations EP — Independent, 2017

Ódú, aka Sally Ó Dúnlaing, is an Irish singer songwriter who crafts sonic heartbreak packaged in a glossy sheen of danceable pop. Born in New York and raised in the Irish seaside town of Bray, Ó Dúnlaing's Conversations EP is the singer's first foray into putting her music on record. After a period of time spent questioning whether she was good enough or young enough to go through with releasing this EP, a dilemma which is documented in the defiant magnetism of opener "Feed You Lies", Conversations eventually came to fruition late last year.

There's a sugary sweet quality to the lush synth arrangements that glue this EP together, that offsets Ó Dúnlaing's instantly commanding vocals. The pulsing electric drums on "Time" are punctuated by a synth that sounds a spaceship beaming someone up, as Ó Dúnlaing instructs, "I will call on you when I need a helping hand/ But our paths will only cross when I command."

"Silent" is a woozy, dream-like offering that snakes through adoration and desperation as Ó Dúnlaing sings, "I'll always be your biggest fan/ Love me", alongside the irrepressible sense of defiance that is a constant throughout this EP. Conversations deals with a swathe of emotions, from insecurity on "Feed You Lies" to infatuation on "Silent", with bright, buzzing electronic soundscapes creating an uplifting, kaleidoscopic bubble like all the best pop music does. More of this, please.

7.5 / 10Aideen • January 30, 2017

Ódú – Conversations EP cover artwork
Ódú – Conversations EP — Independent, 2017

Related features

Flesh Produce

One Question Interviews • January 9, 2024

Produced By A Girl

One Question Interviews • September 11, 2021

John Morgan Askew on production, engineering and composing

Regular Columns / Beyond Casual Observation • January 27, 2019

Related news

Sonor Dolorosa and Aurora EP visualizer

Posted in Bands on May 24, 2025

More Kayo Dot on the way

Posted in Records on May 9, 2025

Venamoris covers Scorpions (save the date)

Posted in Records on January 11, 2025

Recently-posted album reviews

Miller Lowlifes

Pinch Hitters
ADD Records (2025)

The debut album from Florida punk band Miller Lowlifes features a vintage baseball theme, best enjoyed with a can of cheap domestic beer in hand. The metaphor fits, as Pinch Hitters focuses on the American dream -- and where it stands in 2025. The vintage educational TV audio clips add to this past-meets-present theme. It's an album that's equally about … Read more

Art Brut

Sorry, That It Doesn't Sound Like It's Planned! Battling Satan, 2009 - 2020
Edsel Records (2025)

I’ve never reviewed a box set before but Art Brut released my favourite sprechgesang anti-art-punk album of the early aughts so I figured I’d give it a go. 2005’s Bang Bang Rock & Roll placed Art Brut among the “Art Wave” scene but was more post-punk revival than “Indie Sleaze”. Argos has cited Jonathan Richman and Axl Rose as his … Read more

The Slow Death

No Light To See
Don’t Sing Records (2025)

Few bands have as fitting a name as The Slow Death. They play forlorn, self-deprecating punk that’s heavily influenced by lonesome country. The music itself is more driving and punchy, but many of the lyrics would fit just well in a somber old-timey country ballad. It’s forceful music that punches inward instead of at The Man. The first song is … Read more