The end of 2010 sees the launch of an interesting singer/songwriters career. Looking to further bridge the gap between modern mainstream pop, experimental electronic sounds and 70’s, 80’s 90’s influences Ollie Stewart comes into the frame with his debut EP ‘Night Bell'.
Hailing from London, Stewart’s original sound is the result of a passion for making music in a conceptual sense. There is something on this EP that just sounds ‘different’ with a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’. When you delve deeper into his influences and ideas you find that every single beat, note and sound is created by Stewart himself - using not necesserily the most conventional mediums. Listen again and something becomes evident because of this - originality. That’s exactly what Ollie Stewart’s concept is it seems.
Original it certainly is as well. The EP opens with the eclectic ‘I See Love’ which immediately makes you say “I know this”. Well that’s because it’s somewhat of a cover of Donna Summer’s ‘I Feel Love’ from the 70’s, but with one hell of a twist. A poignant modern dance beat, dreamy, digitized vocals, mixed with the foundations of a 70’s dance record make for an interesting track, which makes quite an impact as the first record on the EP, if a little gimmicky.
A light piano brings us into ‘Made at Dark’. After it kicks in a heavy drum beat dominates the track, along with Stewart’s vocals - again delivered with a digitized twist. As interesting the track is with the electronic effects, it unfortunately doesn’t seem to lead anywhere. There are brief pauses which would hint at a huge kick, however it never comes. It leaves you wanting more, which is probably a good thing, as it does make you want to carry on listening.
If there was a track on this EP that I had to pick out because of it’s vocals it would be this one. ‘My Delight’ has a feeling of a love ballad, stirred together using Ollie’s conceptual style. Again the vocals have been digitally modified, but not as heavily as the other tracks. Stewart’s vocal style really shows through - individual yet impressive. Occasionally artists try to go down this route however it doesn’t always have the desired effect, in this instance it fits the experimental nature of the track.
‘Tare’ is the stand out track on this EP, with its massive vocals, showing a varied range, still with the digital intrusion though, which has grown slightly tiring as you listen to the while EP - almost in a Cher kind of way...
There is one thing to be said though. Ollie Stewart claims to be trying to bring a new genre of music to the fold, mixing the foundations of love ballads, electronica, experimentalism etc, but here’s the point - do we need it? Is this really a groundbreaking piece of music or is it going to disappear because it’s not to everyone’s taste? It’s a quality EP, it oozes originality and individualism, but the only thing it really lacks is somewhat of a backbone. There are no real guts that blow your socks off, which really could have been the direction to go in. As good as it is, it does lack the potential to be a commercial success. However, definately worth a listen. 'Night Bell' is now available on iTunes and Spotify.
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Original it certainly is as well. The EP opens with the eclectic ‘I See Love’ which immediately makes you say “I know this”. Well that’s because it’s somewhat of a cover of Donna Summer’s ‘I Feel Love’ from the 70’s, but with one hell of a twist. A poignant modern dance beat, dreamy, digitized vocals, mixed with the foundations of a 70’s dance record make for an interesting track, which makes quite an impact as the first record on the EP, if a little gimmicky.
