OLI – Don’t Give Up (Video)
“How often have you heard and listened to your inner voice telling you not to give up? This track reminds all of us not to give up and keep going, even if it’s hard and beyond the threshold of a blizzard. Wonderful Dream Pop and insightful vocals that captivate as soon as you dive into them.”
“Как часто вы слышали и слушали свой внутренний голос, который говорил вам не сдаваться? Этот трек напоминает всем нам не опускать руки и продолжать идти, даже если тяжело и за порогом вьюга. Прекрасный Dream Pop и проницательный вокал, которые очаровывают сразу, как только погружаешься в них.”
-Nagamag.com
Since launching last year, OLI’s lush, ethereal soundscapes, expansive and inspired visual perspectives, and non-conformist alt-pop songwriting have earned her critical acclaim.
With a sultry combination of deep bass and swirling synth textures, sitting beneath OLI’s effortlessly cool vocals, the single came as a result of the common experiences shared in 2020 and the sheer resilience OLI observed amongst people. Speaking of the song’s inspirations, OLI said: “I think last year a lot of the feeling was just to keep going and keep your head above water. I felt that around me a lot, friends losing jobs, experiencing periods of bad mental health and somehow pushing on. It made me realise how resilient people are and how little they give themselves credit for it.”
She continues: “I wanted the song to show that, to feel like a voice inside your head letting you know everything will be alright. That we are in this together. If anything, I hope the listener feels a little encouraged after hearing the song.”
The song will arrive with an equally luscious music video. Shot in Finland, OLI wanted to turn the fact that so many people she works with are so far away into a positive, and handed over the reins to Finland based videographer Heini Susanne to create the visually stunning video. OLI said: “I knew we didn’t need to be near to create something great together. The music video was actually filmed in Finland without me there. I wanted Heini to feel like she could do/try whatever she thought would look unique, instead of me instructing her on what I wanted.” The video sees a weary traveller lost in the snow-covered woods, battling his inner demons as he tries to find refuge.
The artwork and press photos for the single were made in collaboration with Gabrielle Salonga, a digital media artist. The pair had OLI pose in front of a green screen, with the 3D elements added in post-production.
OLI moved to London from New Jersey at the age of 2. Growing up in a musical family, she was always encouraged to be creative – writing her first song when she was only 7. Her influences range from the likes of Sade and Dion Warwick to bands such as Stereophonics, Supergrass and Pearl Jam and Pink Floyd. OLI co-writes and produces with legendary producer Benny D (Stormzy, Boy George, Kylie, Plan B, Robbie Williams, Paloma Faith, Depeche Mode).
Reviewed by Nagamag on October 23, 2021