One of the trends over the past few years has been the increasing reliance on bringing back “retro” sounds; whether it’s the 80s-inspired synthwave of artists like The Weeknd or the sadly defunct Videoclub, or the more recent 90s and even 00s-inspired artists that have popped up in the past few years, what was old is now new again. One thing that hasn’t really seen a resurgence has been the lush adult contemporary ballads of the late 90s and early 2000s…until now.
Enter Monaco-based rising artist Olla with her new single “Prana”, an elegant pop ballad with such a precise sheen that I had to check to see if the name “Glen Ballard” appeared anywhere in the credits. In this case, such a statement is meant as a compliment of the highest order, as “Prana” would sound right at home with any of the big A/C hits back in the day, especially when Olla’s excellent vocals are considered.
Ah, those vocals…you see, one thing that hasn’t aged well regarding similar ballads from yesteryear concerns the over-the-top caterwauling that passes for singing minus any genuine emotion. Olla thankfully avoids such a fate. Her vocals have a certain quiet strength, a restraint that allows her to shape every note perfectly. Everything here has no little amount of class, with a tasteful production that sounds at once both epic and restrained. Between this and the previous single “Monte-Carlo”, it seems as if Olla has a bright future. Highly recommended.
Listen to "Prana" on Spotify here -
You can check out Olla’s instagram here: