Australian-based indie poppers Oliva’s World share “Debutante,” the first single from their upcoming EP Tuff 2B Tender, out April 23rd on Lost Sound Tapes.
Frontwoman Alice Rezende moved from her home in Australia to the gritty surroundings of Vancouver, and quickly began hustling minimum wage gigs to keep the move intact. The chance recruitment of drummer Rose Melburg (an idol of Rezende’s) two years into Rezende’s new life in Canada, formed Olivia’s World. In 2019, the quartet released their self-titled debut focusing their sound on dreamy atmospherics and twee pop melancholia.
In the midst of the pandemic, Rezende returned home to Queensland, Australia, conducting an overhaul of the project’s identity. Bringing a new lineup into the fold, Rezende’s songwriting evolved by the incorporation of a concise pop formula and lyrics centered on the absurdity of life. The band laid down their experimentations at Incremental Studios with engineer Cameron Smith and worked diligently on their upcoming EP Tuff 2B Tender, which likely takes inspiration from the newborn residing above the studio.
There is a spectrum of emotions that flow within the EP’s opening track, “Debutante.” The first minute of the song features interweaving guitar lines by Rezende and guitarist Tina Agic that shamble along before Rezende’s high pitched vocal comes into frame. There is a constant piano line that rings in the distance, keeping the track in step like the heartrace of LCD Soundsystem’s “All My Friends.” However, the payoff is met with airy instrumentals that recreate a swirling dream collapsing in on itself as opposed to the welcomed memories of the latter.
“The track is about the cyclical nature of playing in bands and the sensation of feeling both old and young when a new project starts up,” said Rezende about the track in a statement.
Tuff 2B Tender is out April 23rd.