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SINGER TOM ODELL OPENS UP ABOUT HIS CATHARTIC NEW ALBUM, LOCKDOWN COOKING AND HIS MENTAL HEALTH BATTLES

With number one albums, BRIT awards, worldwide tours and that John Lewis Christmas advert, which featured his cover of Real Love by The Beatles, singer Tom Odell’s early career was a whirlwind of success. But being in the spotlight from the age of 21 took its toll.

When Tom, now 30, found himself battling panic attacks in 2019, he went home to his parents’ house and “slowly” got better. He then turned to songwriting to make sense of it all. The resulting song – beautiful single Monster V.1 – showed he could “turn the pain into something positive” and he continued, creating latest album Monsters.

“What I’ve noticed after speaking about it is that it’s amazing how many people respond with stories of their own struggles,” Tom tells OK!

as we catch up ahead of the album’s release. “The only thing you can do is keep going and I think one of the best medicines is talking about it.”

Here, Tom talks mental health and who he’d love to duet with…

Hi Tom, how did you find recording an album in lockdown?

Quite different! I did quite a lot in my garden shed. I got so into producing and all the equipment that I outgrew the garden shed a couple of months ago, so I’ve had to rent a bigger space just down the road in Hackney. It’s great having a proper studio now.

How would you describe the album – would you say it’s your favourite so far?

I’m reticent to say it’s my favourite because I feel like I’ve said that with every album! I’m really proud of it. It’s very different and I tried to make something that feels honest and compassionate. I guess it is born out of a fair amount of pain, but I’ve tried to turn it into something positive.

You’ve said some of the songs came out of mental health battles?

Yeah. The first song I wrote was Monster V.1 and that was me trying to overcome my struggle with panic attacks. That gave me the courage to write about other things, looking out at the world around me and trying to make sense of it.

There are a lot of people who have struggled this year. Does the album feel timely?

What I’ve noticed after speaking about it is that it’s amazing how many people respond with stories of their own struggles. I’ve had so many messages. You begin to realise that a hell of a lot of people are struggling with this. The only thing you can do is keep going and I think one of the best medicines is talking about it. I think a lot of the world’s problems are caused by people not talking about how they feel. Having gone through a struggle with mental health, you realise how fragile life is.

How has the past year been?

You can find lots of stimulation and inspiration from being still rather than constantly moving. I had this wonderful experience of doing the same walk every day through the park and seeing spring happening in the same place. I can’t lie, my anxieties about my job are still present. A big part of it is playing live and I don’t know when that’s going to happen. We’re crossing our fingers our tour happens next year.

Have you missed playing live?

Yeah, I’m looking forward to it. I feel sad for the younger artists who have just broken through, that they’re not able to get out and do the tours. It’s so important and influential on your work. You learn so much from it.

Have you picked up any lockdown hobbies this year?

I learnt to cook – I couldn’t before lockdown. I started with chillies and went from there. I like making traditional tomato sauces for pasta with garlic, oregano and tomatoes.

If you could duet with anyone, who would it be?

I’d love to work with Billie Eilish. She’s phenomenal. I really like Girl In Red as well – I think she’s amazing.