Album Review: Olympia, Flamingo

Grief has inspired some of the great dark albums of our time – but on Flamingo, Olympia’s follow-up to her 2016 debut, pain is channelled into something entirely unexpected: joyous pop.

‘Star City’ sets the tone, by embracing the pounding confidence of elated ’80s pop-rock, while simultaneously offering glimpses of unpolished grunge elements – courtesy of co-producer and indie-rock royalty, Burke Reid. With tight grooves and breezy electric guitars, it’s instantly clear that this has the makings of great summertime pop music, but enough darkly intriguing complexity to keep you listening long after the party has ended.

In its continuous zig-zag between youthful self-assurance and vulnerability, Flamingo could be compared to the latest incarnation of Sharon Van Etten. But ultimately, Olympia’s voice is her own – and nowhere is this clearer than in her ballsy, platitude-free approach to songwriting. From the lost souls on ‘Easy Pleasure’, to the restless narrator on ‘Two Hands’, her character-driven stories draw you in, only to break your heart.

She strips back the rock frills on ‘Nervous Riders’ and ‘Won’t Say That’. But it’s when she’s reckless that Olympia is most convincing. Standout track ‘Hounds’ exudes the bold, twisted energy of a woman in denial, who’d rather keep the party going than face up to painful reality: “I laughed when you said that you’re leaving for something better.”

Whether she’s working through her grief, or simply burying her rage and anguish beneath layers of glorious, escapist pop, Flamingo is a powerful sophomore effort. Savour it.

Out now.

https://open.spotify.com/album/0DbZapSVTbHhh9FxcdWHJe