Premiere: Olivia King Is An “Old Soul” On New Single
Introducing Warick based singer-songwriter Olivia King. The Rhode Islander, whose soul-infused pop sound draws inspiration from the likes of Lauryn Hill, Musiq Soulchild, and Michael Jackson, returns with her seventh single of the year entitled “Old Soul”.
Beginning her musical journey at just 16 years old, performing in the Boston area at local clubs as well as on radio and TV stations. Within a year she started writing her own music and landed a jingle for Kudo’s Trading Company in San Francisco at 18. The singer has since gone on to open for August Alsina, Eric Bellinger, Hi-Rez, and Emilio Rojas amongst others; accompanied by a team of backup dancers.
Fast forward to 2020, Olivia’s releases currently frequent the editorial playlists across a number of platforms including placements on “R&B Slow Jams” on Spotify and “R&B on the Rise” and “New Pop Releases” on YouTube Music. The singer also recently graced the cover of Tidal’s Pop Rising Playlist and Triller’s Trendy Playlist.
Prod by @shayonthebeat, “Old Soul” takes listeners on a journey of self-realisation, chronicling Olivia’s college years. Feeling like an outcast throughout her life, the singer has clung to her craft as a place of solace. Her latest single focuses on the idea of being different and acknowledging that mentally herself and her peers were no longer in the same space.
That track opens with a simple melody played on a noticeably old piano, which instantly took me back to Macklemore’s “Same Love”.
Weaving in elements of hip hop through its drum patterns, the chilled pop-soul number is a brilliant example of when less is more. Taking a minimalist approach with its production the track features simple melodies and a small selection of instruments, perhaps as a sonic reflection of King’s claims to be a simple girl transitioning into adulthood.
Speaking on the song Olivia shared:
“Old Soul” is a song I wrote during quarantine and is based on a topic I’ve never really spoken about in my music. Ever since high school, I always felt like a bit of an outcast because my first priority was always music. In college, I just stayed in my dorm writing music, while all my friends went out. This song is about truly being an ‘Old Soul’ and feeling like my mindset is so much different than those my same age.”
Listen to “Old Soul” exclusively here
The official single will be available on all streaming platforms on October 15th.