Oli Barton – ECLECTIC MUSIC LOVER

Anyone having even a cursory knowledge of the music industry knows that the UK is blessed with a plethora of talented music artists and bands, ranging from legendary acts to independent ones known only to a local following, and everything in between. One of my personal favorites is London-based singer-songwriter Oli Barton, an exceptionally talented and creative guy who’s been making music for nearly eight years, both as front man of his backing band the Movement, and more recently as a solo artist. Oli’s music, released via his independent label Coke & Dagger Records, has been featured many times on BBC Radio, and he’s supported such acts as Starsailor, Kid Kapichi, and Baxter Dury. I’ve been following him since early 2017, and over the past seven years have featured him eight times on this blog, most recently in February when I reviewed his single “It’s Over Now”, which has become his most popular track in terms of streaming numbers.

His eccentric yet sophisticated style of alternative rock is a colorful mix of post-punk and psychedelia, fortified with touches of funk, pop and grunge, and I can honestly state that I’ve loved every single one of his songs. Five of them have appeared on my Weekly Top 30 charts – the provocative 2017 single “Kinky”, which went all the way to #1, as well as “44”, “Martyr”, “Just Like Always” and “Paid Off”, all of which reached the top 5. Now the dangerously charismatic charmer is back with “You Just Played My Mind“, which is also being released as a B-side to “It’s Over Now” in a limited edition 7-inch vinyl pressing of 100 copies. The vinyl copies, which will become available on September 24th, can be pre-ordered from his Website.

For recording of the song, Barton was joined by former bandmates Jamal Aggoun on guitar, Marco “Fuzz” Paone on bass and Josh Needham on drums, all of whom he complimented “I really wanted to make a more aggressive, gnarly track and I think the lads smashed it out here.” The track was produced by Alex O’ Donovan, who also played additional percussion, arranged and tracked by Jules Gulon, engineered by Luke Ferrero, mixed by Cenzo Townshend and Robert Sellens, and mastered by Barry Grint.

Drawing inspiration from doomed romances plagued by extreme incompatibility, Oli’s lyrics explore the conflicting emotions of two people who just don’t work together. “Well it’s been a while since I’ve seen a style that’s quite like yours./ Well the way you spoke, well it broke my heart. And you know that someday I’ll be calling you, and know that you just played my mind.”

Musically, the song is an exhilarating rock banger that’s every bit as good as “It’s Over Now”. I really like the opening dark and ominous reverb-drenched gnarly guitar riff, and how the song quickly explodes into a raging beast, courtesy of Jamal’s distorted guitars, Marco’s powerful driving bass and Josh’s explosive drums, before settling down to sultry verses, beautifully sung by Oli’s distinctive accented vocals that I adore. I’ve long admired the ace musicianship of the above-named musicians, but they really take things to the next level here. Jamal’s multi-textured guitar work is fantastic, and the strength and dexterity of Josh’s drumming are a thing of wonder. As always, Oli’s colorful vocals are incredibly satisfying, running the gamut from sensuous croons to spine-tingling impassioned wails. Also, I must compliment the engineers and producers who contributed their respective talents on this track for the outstanding clarity of the instrumentation and overall sound quality.

“You Just Played My Mind” is much more than your typical B-Side, and those who purchase the 7-inch vinyl copy will be getting two equally great songs in one package.

Oli Barton’s Socials: Facebook / X (Twitter) / Instagram / TikTok

Find his music on Spotify / Apple Music / Amazon Music / YouTube / Soundcloud

Based in South London, England, Oli Barton is a wildly creative and exceptionally talented singer-songwriter, not to mention a dangerously charismatic charmer. Though I’m sorry to say I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing him perform live (him being in the UK and me 5,500 miles away in Southern California), he’s gained a reputation for his wild, uninhibited live shows that Reyt Good Magazine describes as “straight from indie heaven”. Barton has supported such acts as Kid Kapichi, Baxter Dury and Starsailor.

I’ve been following him for seven years, both as front man of his backing band the Movement, and now as a solo artist, and have featured him many times on this blog. (You can read some of those reviews by clicking on the ‘Related’ links at the end of this post.) His eccentric yet sophisticated style of alternative rock is a colorful mix of post-punk and psychedelia, fortified with touches of funk, grunge and pop, and I can state without exaggeration that I’ve loved every single one of his songs. Five of them have appeared on my Weekly Top 30 charts – the provocative 2017 single “Kinky”, which went all the way to #1, as well as “44”, “Martyr”, “Just Like Always” and, most recently, “Paid Off”, all of which reached the top 5.

It’s always a good day when Barton releases new music, and I’m thrilled to present his latest single “It’s Over Now“, released today via Coke & Dagger Records. For the song’s recording, Barton was joined by Jamal Aggoun on guitar, Marco Fuzz Paone on bass and Josh Needham on drums. Produced by Alex O’ Donovan (Sea Girls) and mixed by Cenzo Townshend (Inhaler), the song is an exuberant piece of indie-pop ear candy, with a lively blend of crunchy and shimmery guitars, fortified by deep thumping bass and propulsive drumbeats layered over a rousing, infectious groove. Or, to put it more simply, this song fucking rocks!

I always love Barton’s distinctive, resonant singing voice and rich accent, which he uses to full effect here as he plaintively implores to a romantic partner, asking if what they once shared is truly over, or if there’s still any chance of reconciliation: “Would you say that it’s over now, or should I wait? Would you say that it’s over now, is it too late? Should I stay?”

About the song, Barton says, “it’s in the whole world of teenage heartbreak and social media; the way that jealousy gets inside us and really makes us into a whole different person and perhaps distorts the decisions we make“, which he nicely articulates in the lyrics “So now I’m spending night times tracking down precise times. I’m addicted to my screen. I see you follow him and you follow her, and it all just seems so clean. But then you drop a like, and well it don’t seem right, and I’ll just sit there green.”