Odetta Releases New EP 'Hashem Azar' Exploring Faith and Pain

Israeli singer-songwriter Odetta has released a new EP titled 'Hashem Azar' (God Helped), featuring five songs that delve into themes of faith, femininity, and pain. The EP includes tracks such as 'Dylan *3898', 'And in Your Grace I Trusted', and 'Run Girl'.

One notable song, 'Dylan *3898', co-written with Avi Ohayon, is from the perspective of a woman in an abusive relationship. The number *3898, incorporated into the song's title, is the phone number for the Michal Sela Forum, an organization supporting victims of domestic violence. Odetta included this to raise awareness and direct women in need to assistance.

'And in Your Grace I Trusted' marks a collaboration between Odetta and Ben Tzour, exploring faith, self-reflection, and the pursuit of strength, particularly referencing the Jewish month of Elul. The song emphasizes that prayer and words are insufficient without accompanying actions, stating, "We always need encouragement, someone to lift me up, to remind me never to despair, but we also need actions."

Another track, 'Run Girl', addresses a woman's struggle to escape a reality of pain and internal conflict, urging her to seek freedom and embrace the coming light. The song's chorus calls out, "Run girl, see the light will rise, see the truth will be revealed, go out to your freedom."

The EP's title track, 'Hashem Azar', also features a collaboration with Ben Tzour, blending themes of spiritual struggle with the message that divine help requires human effort and action.