Apparently, I’ve been living under a rock, because I’m only now discovering Olive Jones. Well, more fool me – Olive has more than 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and is about to embark on a headline tour of the UK & Europe!
Dorset-born and London-based, Olive has been building up to her debut album for quite a while, with a string of highly successful singles. Together with producer James Wyatt (who has worked with, among others, George Ezra and Ellie Goulding), Olive blends her soul, jazz, and blues influences to create an album destined to become a modern classic.
‘Mary’ – The song’s title character is actually fictional, inspired by several people in Olive’s life who have been impacted, in myriad ways, by mental health issues. Press play, and the first thing that hits you is the crystal clear production. It’s dripping with warm, soulful intimacy. Olive’s voice has a silken melodic power and a refreshing clarity. She avoids the tropes of many current singers – there’s no cursive singing, no affectations: just a unique character and an irresistible melody.
“Don’t be fooled by the sparkle in her eye
Even darkness deserves a chance to smile
Life can take its toll on the best of us
The rest of us wallow here and cry”
‘A Woman’s Heart’ – The shuffling beat and the percussive guitar create a loose groove. Hopefully, I’m not the only one getting hints of ‘Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay’ from that melody! I loved the rich energy, the hint of raspiness, and the barely contained power in the vocal.
‘All In My Head’ – Settling into a steady calm and a deep, smoky haze, the close, husky vocal feels at once hushed and powerful. Occasionally, surprising sounds peek through the thick atmosphere, creating a dream-like reverie – perfect for a song that questions perception!
‘Planes’ – Shout out to the band – they sound amazing. Every element lives in its own space, with its own character – nothing is obvious or predictable. Raw melodic energy just bursts forth, hardly contained. I loved the groove and the layers of keys, strings, and percussion that add a constant stream of tactile details. There are even some juicy filtered synth sounds right at the end (I would have loved more of that!). With elements of Motown, soul, and blues, this sounds like Dusty Springfield crossed with Anne Peebles (“I Can’t Stand The Rain”).
“It’s creeping on my screen
And it’s giving me the blues
But it all means nothing
Now the birds
They sing louder
Now the birds
They sing much clearer now”
‘Only you’ – Get ready to be transported to a hot, dusty underground club in the dead of night. Thick with smoke and the soft clink of glasses, a figure on stage bathed in a spotlight. The muted, dampened sounds are a masterclass in atmospherics.
‘Kingdom’ – Recent single and an emotionally charged reflection on the increasing division (and search for common ground) in an ever more divided world. It’s a deeply funky track, too. The bassline penetrates your bones, the guitars have a fantastic angular crunch, and the whip-crack snare feels like it’s slapping you across the face.
“Though it’s shiny on the outside
It’s rotten inside
And the problem with this kingdom is
The kingdom has died”
‘End Of Time’ – Olive’s jazzy influences shine through, this time with a kind of Motown blend as pillow-soft harmonies elevate this into the stratosphere. I loved the sound of the vocal mic once again, adding that vintage warmth and in slight mid-saturation. The delicate melody oozes class and sophistication. It’s a truly evocative and nostalgic sound.
‘Summer Rain’ – Sultry vibrato and a rimshot like a crack of lightning, this track drives forward before softening with dreamy vocals and liquid keys. A trumpet adds a soul-flavoured, jazzy looseness. For me, it’s like a lost bonus track from the Quincy Jones-era Michael Jackson.
‘Colour On The Wall’ – The melody hit me straight away – elegant and pretty, but with an aching sadness. The pearl-like purity and quartz-like clarity reminded me of Karen Carpenter. When the melody descends, it takes your breath away. Beautiful.
“We all fade away
Like the colour on the wall
Taken by the sunlight
Each turn around the sun”
‘Talk About Love’ – I found this track almost meditative. The sparse, spacious arrangement builds and builds. Filled with more hidden details to uncover, and – of course – another powerhouse vocal performance.
‘Mary Come Home’ – Following the longest track on the album, we have the shortest track. More of an interlude – a pause for breath – than a standalone track. A simple plea for the titular character.
‘Blossom Tides’ – The hushed vocal, warm with emotion, weaves its spell as a gentle piano plays out. This stripped-back closing track is an ethereal finale and feels like a fittingly reflective epilogue to the album.
“No one knows it’s time to die
Wrap your arms around the ones you love”
Olive’s vocals are undoubtedly the star of the show here – but the songwriting and production are more than worthy of sharing the spotlight.
‘For Mary’ feels modern but timeless, soulful but refined. The songs speak clearly – lyrics are laid out without disguise – no riddles, just plain spoken and honest.
Mark my words – Olive Jones is destined for fame, fortune, and accolades galore, having delivered one of the most accomplished debuts I’ve heard in years.
Written by Grubby
