Olivia White moved away from her small town in the UK at the age to sixteen to pursue her music career. She trained vigorously at a music academy in Guildford for four years before announcing her debut single in early 2021. Throughout this time she found her writing inspiration in Lorde and Frank Ocean. She worked with the producer behind Dua Lipa, Zara Larsson, and Dermot Kennedy to create her debut single.
In “Call It Love,” Olivia conveys the depth of deeper communication to her listeners. Within her writing, she ties heartfelt lyrics with upbeat pop instrumentation.
Even from the very first line she sings, Olivia creates an emotionally-charged atmosphere with her spine-chilling vocals and somber lyrics. Over harmonious vocalizations, pulsing synths, and soothing melodies, she reveals a much darker side to the song through her lyrics. She recounts her heartbreaking experience in an abusive relationship and reveals the scars it created in her heart and her mind. Even as the instrumental swells entering an accelerated chorus, Olivia’s vocals remain heavy-hearted. After all, it’s a heavy heart that she’s pouring into this song.
There’s no denying that Olivia used this song to process some of the things that have happened in her life. My heart ached for her as I listened to this. Because nobody deserves to go through what she went through – to be hurt by somebody who would then turn around and just tell her “I love you,” as if that is what love is. It’s not. And yet so many people do go through that exact situation, and many don’t talk about it. So for Olivia to be so raw and vulnerable in her debut single, it speaks volumes to her bravery and strength.
However heartbreaking as it may be, the best art often comes out of pain. I look forward to hearing more of Olivia’s authentic self as she continues to grow as an artist.
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