Ottla returns to its roots and dives into the endlessly fascinating world of jazz giant Thelonious Monk. 'Bye-Ya' offers a first glimpse of the forthcoming album on which the band pays tribute to Monk by reimagining his celebrated compositions. Sometimes faithfully, sometimes taking them somewhere else entirely. They approach his music with the stylistic freedom, intuitive interplay and childlike sense of play that have become hallmarks of Ottla’s own sound.
Their love for and affinity with classic jazz is unmistakable, but Ottla wouldn’t be Ottla without leaving the door wide open to other influences. On 'Bye-Ya', one of Monk’s most light-footed compositions, his unmistakable musical language collides with alternative rock and psychedelia. The result is loose, adventurous and irresistibly groovy, less an exercise in reverence than a band having a very good time with music they deeply admire.