Stephen William Hodd, known artistically under the mononymn HODD, is a Scottish singer and songwriter currently based in Suffolk, England, who’s been making music for over two decades. Following the sucess of last singles “Eavesdropping On Your Soul” and “Crazy”, the musician is on the brink of releasing his new album Better Man, a journey through beautiful soundscapes enrichened by an indie folk flare and poetic lyricism.
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One of the highlights of Better Man is the thoughtful and beautiful “Superhero”, the third single picked from the record, whose inspiration relies on the HODD’s late father. It’s a powerful track made brilliantly by intricate string arrangements and heartfelt lyrics that pay homage to his father’s lifelong work as a botanist.
“Superhero” is a track that finds beauty in nature, offering guidance through themes of loss and acceptance. There is an intrinsic gentleness throughout Stephen’s music, but it’s even more poignant in this song – which navigates through grief with candid honesty. The song ends with the heartbreaking remark that ‘even superheroes need saving sometimes‘, turning the loss into an angsty cry for meaning in death.
Better Man shines with dynamic songwriting, taking inspiration from his surroundings and coming up with a unique combination of sounds. Across the tracks that compose the album, we can see Stephen really honing in on his craft and making music that borrows from a myriad of different directions. From the country-influenced “Holding Onto Something” to the high-energy “Rollercoaster”, Better Man stands as an album that is filled with remarkable moments, rhythms and gorgeous melodies.
A collaborative effort made with musicians such as drummer Mat Hector and bassist Mark Neary, who respectively used to play with Iggy Pop and Noel Gallagher, Better Man unveils itself as a celebration of life itself. Even on its darkest moments, Stephen finds a way to maintain a message of hope and resilience that makes this album a true force of nature. Finding its roots in pure feelings of love and joy, Stephen crafted rich atmospheres that carefully blend traditional folk music with indie rock pacing.
Stephen made an album that bursts with light and finds its voice in kindness. Better Man marries strength and vulnerability in the way that only an artist who’s been doing this for some time possibly could, with lush instrumentations that fill every possible crack with hope. Traveling through landscapes of unspeakable beauty, the Scotsman crafted a powerful and incandescent album of comforting and inviting melodies. Currently available on his Bandcamp page for pre-order, Better Man is the type of album you listen to on repeat and always find a new piece to love with each listen.
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STREAM THE NEWEST SINGLE “SUPERHERO” NOW!
One of the highlights of Better Man is the thoughtful and beautiful “Superhero”, the third single picked from the record, whose inspiration relies on the HODD’s own late father.
ORDER NOW!!!
On Bandcamphttps://t.co/8hRpF14wQH pic.twitter.com/nr9CLZFVEC— Jpgchief (@Jpgchief) November 21, 2024
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If you enjoy their music and can provide monetary support, you might consider downloading it on Bandcamp.
Streaming and sharing his music also helps; you can find it in the following Playlists: Less Than 1,000 Followers, Fresh Singles, Indie Only, 12 New Songs This Week, Chill – Folk – Acoustic, and Unknown But Essentials!
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the center didn’t hold