Olivia Reid - “Central Park West”
“Central Park West” is the latest single by USA-based artist Olivia Reid. The song is a touching and reflective composition that pays tribute to the artist’s late Uncle Chris and Great Aunt Stevie and the times she spent with them in Central Park. The arrangement is intimate and expresses a range of feelings, not only through the reflective, mellow music, but also though Reid’s incredible vocal performance.
An ambient soundscape forms the backbone of this incredibly stripped-back composition. Delicate, muted guitars and a variety of textured samples make up this mellow production. Some of these samples come to the foreground in places, allowing themselves to be recognized, like piano. The sounds are calming, but also thoughtfully arranged. Percussion is also used in “Central Park West,” gently panning from side to side, adding another unusual quality to this fantastic song.
The vocals of Reid, which were recorded in her bedroom, have a tender, melancholic tone. They are gentle, yet show a really warm dynamic, which really brings meaning to the well-written lyrics. The artist says that the lyrics are “for anyone mourning the loss of someone or something, where the mix of joyful memories coexist with grief and gratitude. It’s hard to let them go, but those memories are warm and comforting to hold on to.”
Olivia Reid's “Central Park West” is a heartfelt composition with gorgeously genuine vocals. The music is carefully constructed and exquisitely stripped back, focusing on texture and emotion. The song is incredibly lovely.