Move aside, Olivia Rodrigo – there’s a new Liv on the block and her sophomore album, Nostalgic Heartbreak, is here to take your fans. Olivia Miceli’s 11-track record, released on October 6, is said to be ‘inspired by the romantic cinema of the 1950s’, and while the introspective lyrics may touch themes of reminiscence, the music itself feels so fresh and contemporary, making it one of the most compelling listening experiences I’ve enjoyed this year.
Recorded and produced in her own bedroom, there’s an intimacy to Nostalgic Heartbreak as the opening piano chords of The Fate of the Romanticists welcome listeners in. There are little nuances in each song that make them feel so close and personal, such as the little vintage crackle of a needle on a record. Olivia’s songwriting is a refreshing departure from the traditional power ballad archetype, her tracks rooted in heartache and human vulnerability, and will resonate particularly with Gen Z fans.
Olivia said: “I think with my generation especially, we feel very nostalgic for things that we were never a part of the first time around; with things like the revival of the vinyl and the 90s/rock music movement reaching the charts again (Guts by Olivia Rodrigo being a prime example), we always have a longing for something that was never truly ours to begin with and I wanted to explore that.”
The Fate of the Romanticists unfolds with a sense of melancholy, introducing listeners to Miceli’s cinematic approach to songwriting as she delves into an exploration of the digital age and a generational obsession with social media. Olivia’s songwriting prowess is immediately a spotlight feature, delivered with haunting harmonies and intricate layers as the 22-year-old yearns for ‘a past that was never truly ours’.
Overthinking follows, and its power lies not in explosive choruses but in the whispered confessions and the unspoken pauses. The way in which she weaves emotion into her music is masterful and her pacing and prose certainly makes it easy to draw Rodrigo comparisons, but there are definitely some more retro influences that linger in Last Night I Had A Dream About You, which feels reminiscent of ABBA’s Slipping Through My Fingers. The addition of electric guitar licks gives it an alternative pop edge, bringing together the introspective lyricism of The National and the pop sensibilities of muses like Taylor Swift – was there a nod to Folklore in there, too, perhaps?
The upbeat percussion of Keep In Touch juxtaposes the solemn lyrics, proving once again that Olivia is an expert at curating singles that effortlessly blend light and shade, while Night Dream transport listeners to a bygone era, longing for a love like our grandparents’ generation enjoyed.
Drawing from rock and roll influences of Elvis Presley and Jo Stafford, Bittersweet Goodbye channels a 50s feel, while Poison marks a return to the pop sounds of the 80s, with an infectious melody, rumbling piano and siren-like ad-libs. If there’s a chorus worthy of a TikTok trend on this album, it’s in poison.
Happy Ending is a poignant post-relationship reflection where you realise you don’t need closure to create a ‘happy ending’. “I haven’t finished the story yet but you better bet it doesn’t end with you”, is fun, contagiously catchy and will without a doubt get stuck in your head. The orchestral style arrangement with jazzy brass bursts is beautiful and makes this a real standout track on the record.
It’s a hard track to follow, but Stardust and Glass Doors continue to explore the album’s overarching themes, showcasing Olivia’s versatility as an artist, her knack for observational songwriting and portraying the complex emotions that arise with the coming of age in peculiar circumstances – something we’ve also seen in Mara Liddle’s All Over The Place.
The album concludes with Hopeful, But Not Romantic – a title that encapsulates the bittersweet essence of the entire sonic journey of this album. It’s got the melody of a John Lewis Christmas advert that’s bound to bring you to tears, while her lyrics are wistful and authentic. In a world where vulnerability is often mistaken for weakness, Olivia Miceli wears her heart on her sleeve without compromising strength.
Nostalgic Heartbreak is more than a mere collection of songs – it’s a mosaic of shared experiences and an anthem for those who find solace in the quiet corners of introspection. Olivia Miceli has not only crafted a musically diverse and emotionally rich album that is highly relatable, but has also established herself as a compelling storyteller and a phenomenal songwriter.
The fusion of cinematic influences, from 1950s orchestration to 80s pop sensibilities and more modern muses is incredibly refreshing, and while you may not consider some of these songs to be immediate earworms, they very quickly catch on and I feel like Nostalgic Heartbreak is going to be one of those albums that you have on repeat time and time again.
Listen to it here on Spotify:
