Olly Lagemann – Green (2022)
Olly Lagemann is moving away from the sound most people know him for with his bands Cats TV and Loz Tinitoz, for a softer, retro flow in his EP Green. Using retro drums, a playful bass and honest vocals, he explores the missed loves and lonely evenings of an aromantic pilot. Reflecting on shyness and the friends we find to fill the void, the EP stays away from power chords, rather opting for a more tender approach.
While moving away from the usual rock tones of his music, Lagemann still brings a light smattering of rock-pop to the soundscape. Packing in some 80s vibes, he merges his unique sound with synths for a completely different vibe. With financial support from a GVL grant, the EP was recorded at Sad Rex Studio in Cuxhaven with Pete Draack.
‘Was sie aus einem macht’ opens the EP with a sparkling retro tone that has you gently swaying and bopping to the melody. There is a really soft feeling to the single that you can easily float away to. The vocals have an electronic tinge to them that perfectly matches the synth tones of the melody. While the vocals are in German, you don’t have to understand the language to get the flow of the single. You can feel the first touches of the story of the EP as the initial wash of loneliness and lost love makes it way through the song. There is a hint of hope for a connection that is dashed, leaving you with the sadness of the main character.
The sparkling tones of the opening track meet a more melancholic flow on ‘Tanz mit mir’. Through the melody, Langemann brings a sad loneliness that is tinged with an acceptance of your fate. There is a hope for things to change, allowing you to dance with someone you want to. The electronic tones of the melody lead you into a gentle waltz while pastel colours swirl around you. The softness of the opening track has also been retained, but it takes a tender turn for this track. The retro vibes of the melody mix with the soothing movement of the electronic tones to lull you into the flow of the single. It is tender and touching, whether you know what he is saying or not.
‘Auf in die Nacht’ has a twilight vibe to the electronic tones that reach out below the vocals, bringing the image of streetlights glinting off wet pavements. The vocals have a fragile feeling to them that makes you feel like you can’t talk too loud or you will break them. The warble that distorts the vocals later in the track adds a wonderful texture to the single. There are moments of operatic otherworldliness that make this song very different to the others on the track. As the operatic vocals soar out into the soundscape, they bring a feeling of loneliness as they seem to reach out for a connection that is not there. This is a really powerful single that is made more impressive by the dynamic movements of the vocals and melody.
The EP comes to a close with ‘Das bist Du’ and the pulsing tones that get you moving to the rhythm. There is a slightly livelier feeling to this track that pulses against your chest, that leads you to the female vocals. The hum of the electronic tones caresses the vocals as they haze and float through your brain. As the melody gets a paced movement that drives you forward, the vocals turn to match, adding this wonderful push to the song. The almost upbeat vibes of the song is a wonderful way to close off the EP as it brings a touch of strange acceptance to your senses. The sparkling tones later in the track lighten the melody and shine with a touch of hope for the future.
Olly Lagemann uses retro tones, operatic vocals and playful instrumentation across the tracks of Green to tell a tale of love lost, shyness, loneliness and imaginary friends. Each track has a unique vibe, while retaining the overall tones and flows of the EP as a whole. While the vocals are all in German, you don’t really need to know the language to appreciate and feel the emotions he has woven into the tracks.
Find out more about Olly Lagemann on his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
