Ollie West & The Wildflowers – Shelf Life (2020)
There are times when you just need to stay at home and surround yourself with everything that matters the most to you. This is a sentiment that Ollie West & The Wildflowers understand and bring to sonic life in their latest single ‘Shelf Life’. Written by West in a Tesco delivery van, the single touches on his own struggles with anxiety and the many ways to cope.
After a year and a half since their last release, the band is back with a bang. Continuing to draw on classic songwriting influences, West and his 14-piece orchestral line-up, The Wildflowers, meld folk, Americana and classical music with their own fresh sound.
‘Shelf Life’ opens with a wonderful and expansive melody that sends you flying like a leaf on a gentle breeze. The different instrumental lines intertwine to fill you with warmth. This feeling is cosy and gives you a buffer from the less happy lyrics. The dip in the melody just before the crescendo is perfect as it brings an intimate feeling that matches the lyrics and vocals. The flow of the melody throughout the single is amazing with strings swelling from the depth and driving beats that help you get lost in the soundscape.
West’s vocals are a delicate gossamer layer over the melody. His smooth delivery draws you into the lyrics and emotions of the track. While there is a sense of introspection to his performance, there is a lot which is relatable. The lyrical structure gives you an insight into his thoughts and they are ones that a lot of us have had. Through his performance, you are also filled with a sense that things will get better.
Ollie West & The Wildflowers touch on anxiety and staying at home surrounded by good things in ‘Shelf Life’. While the single taps into West’s personal experience with anxiety, there is something relatable about the lyrics. The melody is easy and floats over you in a relaxing way.
Find out more about Ollie West & The Wildflowers on their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
