South London-based indie artist Oli Barton continues to exhilarate audiences with his electrifying live performances and is “poised to take his place among the indie elite” (Reyt Good Magazine). Following the success of his debut solo single ‘It’s Over Now’, Oli is set to release his follow-up single, ‘The Light’, produced by Alex Quinn (The Royston Club) and mixed by Tom Longworth (Red Rum Club).

As a teenager, Oli would busk on his local high street, honing an animated performing style that perfectly encapsulates his energetic, cheeky personality. As Oli describes, “when singing on the street, you certainly find out what people like and especially what they dislike. You’re going to sink pretty fast without a decent tune.” 

“The Light” blends a dizzying mix of suave and moody verses and explosive heavy choruses. Always intimate, Oli’s vocal is able to bring listeners in close before propelling them into a powerhouse of a chorus that is sure to stick in their head for days.

Bringing a darker, moodier sonic palette; ‘The Light’ explores the hedonistic world of online dating and one night stands. Intricately balancing the alluring and sensual atmosphere of its verses with crashing, heavy guitars in the chorus, the track unfolds like a cinematic journey into the depths of a seedy night out. As always, Oli infuses the track with his trademark dark sense of humour and cheeky lyrical observations. “The Light” is an exciting and alluring next step for Oli Barton.

In the years of releasing music independently through his own label Coke & Dagger Records, Oli has been featured multiple times on BBC Radio nationwide whilst also getting noticed by large festivals up and down the UK, supporting artists such as Starsailor, Kid Kapichi and Baxter Dury. This journey has culminated in the release of this single which is a tight consolidation of all of Oli’s strengths as an artist.

“For years I’ve been experimenting and messing around with sounds. I’ve loved different songwriting approaches and production techniques designed to create exciting experiences for listeners. Now to put it simply, I want to give the people what they want. I want to give them the sweaty, euphoric experience they get at our gigs and put it on record.”

Oli comments on the new track:

“I think the clear difference here is the added sense of rhythm. Before we were making rock songs with big dynamics, but now we’ve made a focus on getting people on their feet and moving. It’s what people need right now. I want to combine the rhythmic elements that I love in funk, indie and new wave and combine it with a dark almost hip-hop energy”

However, this is by no means a formulaic indie song; it’s a grooving, pulsing anthem with furiously punchy, chopping guitars and a bold, youthful vocal. This track has the pungent smell of clubs and pubs found round the backside of any English town but with an added indie-pop twist. This is the sound of the cheeky provocateur, the observant wallflower and the hopeless romantic all rolled into one and that’s the unmistakable sound of Oli Barton.

‘The Light’ stands as a testament to his bold, daring artistic vision that is sure to solidify his reputation further as an artist determined to leave his mark on the indie music landscape. 

Upcoming live dates

Friday 19th April – Notting Hill Arts Club, London