"Slow" by Jonny Olley
Review
I am very grateful to Toni Peach who frequently plugs the magazine on her HillzFM show, plays "Hot Music Live Presents" tracks and when circumstances allow, has HMLP artists as guests for introducing me to the work of Jonny Olley and specifically his latest single called "Slow". This Kenilworth originating singer-songwriter self describes as "alt-indie-blues": to my ears this particular track also possesses folk touches but above all it reminds me of Gil Scott-Heron too, as the relentless acoustic arrangement lies at the jazzier end of the blues spectrum & serves to provide a framework for an equally relentless & angsty social commentary.
Good as the edgy music is, it's the words which caught my attention the most: clearly writing from both a personal perspective & genuine experiences/observations, these reflections pour out of him almost as if he can't contain them within himself any longer… an unusual & authentic structure, the lyrics would work effectively without music as a poem.
The overall effect thus is bracingly original & a breath of fresh air. An artist I'll be keeping an eye & ear open for.
