Feature: OLI
OLI UNVEILS DEBUT ALBUM ‘WHEN IT ALL GOES QUIET’
The LP is an evocative collection of tracks that delve into themes of solitude, reflection, and emotional introspection. Since her debut in 2020, OLI has evolved to fully embrace her unique sound - a blend of jazz, melancholic pop, and 2000’s UK indie influences.
Her journey from trying to fit in to confidently expressing her individuality is captured in this deeply personal album, which showcases her growth as both a songwriter and performer. ‘When It All Goes Quiet’ feels like the stillness before dawn, when 3 a.m. thoughts linger and emotions stir. Sweeping strings from Zara Hudson-Kozdoj (Max Richter’s long time collaborator) blend with dynamic beats and electronic textures. Each track feels like ajourney, from the quietest whisper to the loudest echo, wrapping you in its world and leaving you somewhere unexpected.
This is music for the in-between moments, for when you need to feel everything at once. The title track, ‘When It All Goes Quiet’, serves as the album’s emotional and thematic centrepiece. Inspired by the blissful moments of stillness at the end of a long night, the song transports listeners to that special early morning feeling when the world is quiet, and there’s nothing but peace. OLI explains, “It’s meant to describe exactly how it feels coming home after a long night and loving the silence. Wanting to stay up just to enjoy the alone time and the birds singing. That lovely early morning feeling when you have nothing on the next day and feeling genuinely at bliss.”
To accompany the release, OLI has unveiled a cinematic music video for ‘When It All Goes Quiet’, directed by Finnish filmmaker Heini Susanne. The video, filmed over 36 hours in Margate, visually embodies the song’s serene and reflective atmosphere. OLI portrays the experience of coming home after a busy night, eagerly seeking the tranquillity of being alone and sinking into the calm of the early hours. “The video shows someone coming home after a long night and being excited to relax, run a bath, and just be in the moment,” says OLI.
Produced by her long-time collaborator Benny D, the album features a rich sonic landscape, blending jazz elements with sombre chords, and touches of 2000’s UK indie. Tracks like ‘Cry’ and ‘Float’ dive into personal themes of vulnerability, overthinking, and moments of introspection, reflecting OLI’s growth as an artist who now embraces the beauty of solitude and self-awareness. With every track, she offers listeners an opportunity to connect with their own internal dialogues in a deeply relatable way.
After the success of her early releases, OLI has gained recognition for her unique voice and ability to capture the complexities of human emotion in her music. On ‘When It All Goes Quiet’, she takes that introspection to new heights, blending heartfelt lyrics with cinematic soundscapes to create an album that invites listeners to pause, reflect, and embrace the quiet moments in life.
