SINGLE REVIEW: Oliver Nolan - Celebrity, so What!
I'm a big fan of Oliver Nolan's style. It's far from flawless, and I don't think he'd stand a chance on the X-Factor, but that's exactly what I love. The imperfections, the slightly off-key moments, the rough-around-the-edges sound—all contribute to his unapologetic authenticity. He doesn't strive for perfection; he's real and sincere, delivering brutally honest social commentary with a raw and genuine voice.
'Celebrity, so What!' tackles the illusion of celebrity culture, highlighting how we often think we know famous people because of their presence on screens and social platforms. Nolan's message is clear: we only see a curated image, not the true person behind the facade. Some celebrities might be genuinely nice, but others may have an inflated sense of self-importance. We're like fish in a bowl, making assumptions based on a limited view, forgetting that their lifestyle is vastly different from ours. The essence of true popularity, Nolan suggests, lies in being a nice person.
Nolan's signature raw, almost semi-spoken vocals rage about celebrities and their perception with great theatrics. The instrumentation is perfectly DIY, featuring a splashy, vibrant sound that mixes indie with the passion of punk and an arty stance. As with Oliver's other work, 'Celebrity, so What!' is perfectly imperfect, with captivating and relatable lyrics that showcase his clever songwriting.