Bri Oglu – Enough (2022)
So-called modern ballads seem to be dime-a-dozen these days. They often stick strictly to a certain formula with too little variation and often with some quite mundane lyrics. The singer’s detachment from such a song can also often be quite evident, particularly if they were not the original author. All that is needed for such songs to stand is some personal addition from the songwriter and the singer, and it is not essential to abandon all the rules of a good ballad.
With her single ‘Enough’ taken from her debut EP Somewhere Else, Oglu actually does quite enough to come up with an excellent modern ballad. What makes ‘Enough’ work is, first of all, Oglu’s quality songwriting and daring to add enough elements that don’t strictly stick to the ballad formula. Then, it is her personal, emotional involvement with both the song and the lyrics, something that probably comes from personal experience. “I wrote this song through both my eyes and the eyes of my closest friend who had been in a relationship with an addict…” says Oglu, and you can feel her involvement throughout the song itself.
A lot of the quality of this song may lie in the fact that Oglu began writing songs with inspiration from her mother’s love for rock and pop and her father’s passion for the 80s and jazz music. It is clear why her storytelling is so complex throughout her lyrics in ‘Enough’, something that makes this song truly work.
For more from Bri Oglu, check out her official website, Instagram and Spotify.
