Rising British R&B star Olivia Nelson delights on the silky new double single “Friends” and “Strangers” – her first release of 2022. Wrapping a twisting tale of love across the two tracks, Olivia’s ability to express universal experiences in an equally stylistic and sincere way shines on the double release.
Inspired by the complexities of romance, “Friends” battles about a love you know is no good to the vibe of a smooth late-night tune, as strong sub bass pulses throughout the hazy soundscape; whereas the ticking backbeat of “Strangers”, a stomping, self-empowering tune of moving on and up, cuts through the confusion to give all the feels of classic R&B pop. Pairing her beautifully texture toned voice with heartfelt lyricism, Olivia’s contemporary take on the genre effortlessly balances a catchy release with confident talent.
In a statement, Olivia remarks: “Friends is about wanting to be on good terms with an ex but knowing that it’s not very healthy for either of you. Strangers is more of a goodbye once the dust has settled, and you are completely out of each other’s worlds. I didn’t want either song to sound sad as it’s quite a relatable subject so they’re both mid-tempo bops, which I hope people will connect with.”
With a gorgeously expressive eye for visuals adding to her creative flourishes, Olivia is defining herself as a significant talent in the UK landscape. Having produced the kind of effortless, assured performances of a captivating one to watch, she has gained critical acclaim across the likes of BBC R1 Xtra, The Independent, NOTION, 1883 Mag, GRM Daily, Mixtape Madness and Metal Magazine. Earning industry fans, Olivia was handpicked by BBC 1Xtra’s DJ Target to record two songs from her previous EP Back To You in collaboration with the world-famous Abbey Road Studios – home to the stories of musical legends from The Beatles to Lady Gaga.
It is clear Olivia Nelson is coming through the scene in a defining lane – a star primed for big things, “Friends” and “Strangers” continues to live up to the high bar she has set and will surely only increase the hype surrounding her rising career.
