After a standout year in 2024, which saw the release of hit singles such as ‘23’, ‘Around You’, ‘Miss Me’, ‘UPGRADE’, and ‘Stupid Love’, rising independent singer-songwriter Olivia Cox is ready to kick off 2025 with her highly anticipated new single, ‘Paris’. Known for her unique ability to blend alt-pop with mainstream pop, the 24-year-old Canadian-born artist continues to push musical boundaries with this fresh and innovative track. ‘Paris’ delivers an electrifying sound that promises to captivate listeners and further solidify her place as one of the most exciting new voices in pop music today.
You’ve had an incredible year in 2024 with multiple hit singles. Looking back, which moment from last year stands out the most to you?
Hi Amplify Music Magazine! Thank you so much! Looking back it was an incredible year full of learning, growing and consistent releases but I think my favourite moment of the year was throwing my first release party. I planned the whole thing myself and started the planning in January. The party was at the end of May on release day for my single “Miss Me.” To see it all come together after months of preparation was a really proud moment for me, I sold out my first ever merch drop at that party too!
Your upcoming single, Paris, has a fresh and electrifying sound. What was it about this track that made you want to release it as your next single?
I couldn’t stop listening to it! Originally I was thinking I’d “hide” it in an EP because of how unique it was and perhaps not everyone’s cup of tea, but honestly I love it so much and think it is such a cool song that takes you on a two minute journey. I knew if I loved it this much that hopefully a lot of my fans would vibe with it too.
You mentioned that Paris was initially not intended for release. What was the turning point that made you and your producers decide it was too good not to share with the world?
I was having the chat with them about an EP and how Paris isn’t “single worthy” and Daniel Seacroft said “I don’t think you realise how special this song is.” I knew it was cool and I knew I loved it, but to hear him say that just solidified the potential of the song for me.
You’ve said that Paris allowed you to experiment and have fun. Can you tell us more about how this track differs from your previous work and what made it such a unique creative process for you?
I rap!!!! Haha. Typically I’d say for the adlibs I really had fun and went all out on those compared to my other singles. But I think the biggest difference is that I rap a little bit in the second verse. I had so much I wanted to say and wanted it to flow with the sound of the track so rapping just sounded the best. It was SO much fun but honestly kind of hard to get it all in time so props to all the rappers out there, I’m not coming for your jobs anytime soon!
Who are some of the artists that inspired the sound of Paris, and how did their music influence your approach to the track?
I wrote “Paris” in September and the song of the summer was “Diet Pepsi” by Addison Rae. It made me realise I wasn’t experimenting or using my vocal to its potential when songwriting. I listened to that song maybe 5 times in a row the first time I heard it just so I could listen to all the vocals going on in the background. There were stacks, layers, harmonies and adlibs. It was magical and I wanted to create the same experience in a song I wrote. I’ve noticed a lot of artist going down this kind of route and songwriting style and I’m here for it!
You’ve described Paris as a “lover girl journey” with vivid imagery. How important is storytelling to you in your songwriting, and how did you bring this visual element into the track?
So important. Possibility even the most important. For me, I don’t think there’s any point in writing a song if it isn’t saying something. I know not everyone listens to lyrics and sometimes they just want to listen to something because it’s catchy. But I will always write a song that tells a story whether this is something I’ve been through or going through, something I’ve witnessed in a friends life or something I made up, I always want people to be taken on journeys when listening. It makes the listening experience so much better, especially when the listener is able to relate. For Paris I used a lot of imagery words and spoken adlibs so it sounded like the listener was reading from my diary.
In terms of production, what role did your producers, Aaron Brennan and Daniel Seacroft, play in shaping the final sound of Paris? How did they help you bring this song to life?
Aaron Brennan made the track itself which inspired the song. They were both in the room while I was writing and recording. Daniel Seacroft was very encouraging when I was on the mic. I was trying things I’d never tried before and it didn’t phase him one bit, he was loving it and giving my ideas where he could, Same with Brennan.
During the mixing process I had a lot of say because of all the adlibs and layers. I wanted them to sit in the right place to take them from potentially being cringey to being so cool. This was just volume, reverb, some of them have the effect “bad phone.” It was the most creative project I’ve done for sure and the two producers I worked with are both extremely talented at what they do.
You’ve built a reputation for blending alt-pop with mainstream pop. How do you continue to challenge yourself musically while staying true to your artistic vision?
I know when a song is good or has potential to be good when A) it’s catchy and I can’t stop singing it. B) It tells a story that I relate to or just think is a fun journey for the listeners to go on. I’m constantly creating without boundaries, some songs are just good, but then you’ll get the odd song that’s really good. You can tell the difference by how excited I get in the studio. The energy is there and I’m so pumped.
After the success of your previous singles like 23 and Stupid Love, how do you approach the pressure of following up with something new?
I’ve decided to kind of ‘take off’ the pressure. Slightly, not completely. I think it’s healthy that when I’m writing and creating that I do it for me and not because I want to write the next hit. If I have that mindset then nothing I’m writing is true to myself and too overthought.
Like I said before, if it’s catchy and I believe in it then all I can do it hope my fans love it as much as me!
What are your hopes for the reception of Paris, and what do you want your fans to take away from this song when they listen to it for the first time?
I want them to go “wow that’s unlike anything I’ve ever heard before” in a good way! Like I said “Paris” is a journey and I want people to relate to it in some way. The song is so unique in its structure that there a loads of different avenues for the listeners to get lost in. I would love for “Paris” to be received well because it means that no matter what I’m putting out, as long as I love it and trust my gut, others will too. So far “Paris” is doing really well and they are loving it which makes me so happy to see! I can’t wait to give you all the music I’ve been working on for the rest of this year!
