Track of the Day: Odd Numbers feat. Wallfella - 'Blue'

Dublin-based music producer and beat-maker Odd Numbers (Odhran O'Brien) has exclusively shared his forthcoming new single 'Blue' featuring North Dublin rapper Wallfella, which drops this Friday.

Following the success of previous singles 'Maintain' and 'World's Flyest Snobs' earlier this year, the producer returns with his third release in as many months, this time featuring the exceptional lyricism of William Wall (AKA Wallfella).

Inspired by the late Mac Miller, ‘Blue’ tells a tale of unsung talent and unfulfilled aspirations.

“The track is based on a summer’s day that I had in 2020," Wallfella explains to Hot Press.

“Going from a night of partying to a night of feeling down, wondering when the work will be noticed. It’s a typical story of hangover blues but with an ambitious spin. It asks the question of when, and why?”

The track touches on an endless cycle of self-doubt, relating to the everyday struggle of getting in your own head. While you speak how you feel, you put a smile on your face and try not to let it get to you. The track's upbeat sound similarly masks the deeper lyrical matter.

Self-awareness is a key component of Wallfella’s work as a spokesman of the working class. The Irish rapper paints vivid pictures of the environmental and systemic issues he has had to deal with throughout his life.

Wallfella has been a close friend and collaborator to Odd Numbers’ label, Off-Key Collective, for a number of years now. The rapper’s appearance on Sea High’s debut album in 2019 sparked a string of collaborations and a host of guest appearances at gigs and live events.

“Will is without a doubt one of the most underrated artists in the country," Odhran O'Brien says of his latest collaborator, Wallfella.

"He’s repeatedly shown that he can flow on any type of beat and with that I wanted to make something a bit more obscure for him. I sent him a variety of ‘alternative hip-hop’ beats to choose from and within an hour he’d sent back the lyrics for ‘Blue’.”

The old-school beat lends itself perfectly to Wallfella’s musings, while Odd Numbers shows off his sampling finesse once again by incorporating a silky smooth ballad from US vocal quartet The Four Freshmen.

Citing Mac Miller’s ‘Blue World’ as the inspiration for this production, the beat-maker expresses his appreciation for the late American rapper’s catalogue;

"Mac Miller was one of the first hip-hop artists I became truly invested in. From KIDS to Circles, his work ethic and evolution was inspiring. I used to spend hours reading the credits and finding all the samples he used, which in turn introduced me to the likes of Dexter Wansel, The Isley Brothers, and of course, The Four Freshmen."

“I’ve been spending a huge amount of time crate digging as a result," he adds. "From picking up second-hand records at markets to trawling endlessly through YouTube. It can be a long and tedious process but there’s really no better feeling than coming across that perfect sample."

‘Blue’ is the final single from the producer’s upcoming debut album, The Golden Éire Tapes Vol. 1. Funded by the Arts Council.

From Ritewell, Daly and Wallfella to Local Boy and Sick Nanley; the project features an eclectic mix of some of Ireland’s most prominent artists and some more underground acts, entirely produced by Odd Numbers.

As co-manager of Off-Key Collective; O'Brien's productions lie in a multitude of hip-hop's sub-genres, from old-school to contemporary. The Irish hip-hop movement consists of rappers, producers, poets, and musicians with a passion for creating original music, pushing boundaries, and furthering the community. By exploring and collaborating with the various pockets of talent across the country, he continues to develop his skills as a producer while also promoting cohesion and community within the scene.

Check out the animated visuals for 'Blue' below: