Pop/Review OLI - When It All Goes Quiet
Born in New Jersey and raised in London since the age of two, OLI (Olivia Masek) has always balanced two worlds—a blend of American openness and British introspection. That duality shapes her music: cinematic but intimate, moody yet liberating, and always rooted in emotional truth. With a voice that can shift from whisper-soft to soaring intensity, OLI has quickly become one of London’s most intriguing rising artists.
“When It All Goes Quiet,” Olivia Masek's (officially known as OLI) remarkable debut album, seems like a meticulously planned trip across emotional landscapes. OLI, who was born in New Jersey and grew up in London, creates songs that stick with you long after the last note by fusing personal storytelling with cinematic alt-pop. The album provides a soundtrack for "in-between moments" when introspection and emotion meet, capturing the conflict between quiet and intensity.
With delicate piano lines, eerie electronic soundscapes, and string arrangements that provide depth without overpowering the listener, the record's music is rich but restrained. Collaborations are carefully incorporated, especially the work of cellist Zara Hudson-Kozdoj, whose compositions inspire a sense of cinematic grandeur reminiscent of Max Richter. The rare duet with Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode, which unites modern alt-pop with iconic synth-infused sorrow, lends a depth of gravity to the vinyl edition.
OLI's voice skillfully traverses vulnerability in her lyrics, switching between quiet reflection and bursts of intense emotion. The songs develop as short stories, each expressing a transient emotion such as loneliness, longing, or hope, but taken as a whole, they tell a coherent story about the frailty and resiliency of people.
“When It All Goes Quiet” is successful because it draws the listener into a place of reflection rather than depending on hooks or bombast. This album offers a cinematic getaway that feels both intimate and expansive, rewarding patience and emotional openness. For anyone looking for cinematic sweep, passion, and nuance in alt-pop, OLI's debut is a subtly potent statement.