After she departed from Island Records, it was anyone’s guess what Olivia O’Brien’s next move would be. Her music never quite fit into the perfect box that record labels often crave, and now freed from any shackles, she could make the music that interested her the most.
With a handful of singles starting with, “Born With A Broken Heart,” O’Brien poured out her heart with sincere lyrics — eventually making her way to her newest EP, “love & limerence.”
The first track, “here, alone, again,” begins like a conversation from the other room. It’s a few musical notes before O’Brien bursts with a slew of words that are quick and to the point. As she sings, Olivia O’Brien bears herself to her former lover, asking him why he put her through this tragic relationship if she was ‘just a way to pass the time.’
This song seems so personal, yet it still rings in the listener’s ears like it could be their memory from a past relationship. While it lacks an extremely catchy hook like some of her past hits, “here, alone, again,” sets the perfect tone for what is ahead.
“blip,” introduces a more sultry sound to O’Brien’s voice that has been seldom heard over the years. Her croon comes as a bit of a surprise when she has been more known for sugary pop hits and the occasional pop-rap.
“blip,” shows a more mature side to O’Brien’s voice that helps her audience know she hasn’t been sitting on her laurels over the years, but she has been stretching herself as an artist.
Here, O’Brien laments over unreturned love. It is amazing how someone can mean so much to us, but we barely even make it on their radar.
“glimpse of me,” is the most radio-friendly song on the album, giving fans an easily repeatable chorus that they can shout along with on their next road trip.
Why’d we make plans for the future, staying up ’til morning light? Why’d you fill me with your sickness and then leave me there to die?
With vibes similar to Rachel Platten and Tate McRae, this track can empower a young woman with courage for the future. She may have fallen for his games in the past, but this newer, stronger version of her is fortified with wisdom and boldness.
“second love” brings the singer back to a sad state where she mourns her place in a love triangle. Similar to “blip,” O’Brien isn’t where she wants to be in the relationship. The other woman is Goliath, and O’Brien is hidden in her shadow.
Playing second fiddle is never a place someone wants to be — especially in a relationship. No matter the effort you put in, the other person always gets the accolades.
The album winds down with the final track, “if i can’t be with you.” O’Brien stays in her broken heart state of mind, admitting defeat to the man in their relationship. She can’t be with him, and she knows that, so instead she will stay alone.
This is a more mature stance than what is commonly seen these days. More often than not, we see people sleeping with random strangers just to get the taste of someone else out of their mouth. Instead, O’Brien sits alone with her thoughts, trying to heal without catching a rebound.
Including this song as the album’s ending note is apropos, bringing us back to the loneliness created at the end of any relationship, no matter how long or short it lasted. While a little less personal than “here, alone, again,” it seems that “if i can’t be with you” works as a pleasant sequel to what we learned when the album began.
At the end of the day, “love & limerence,” is a slice of Olivia O’Brien’s soul. The bittersweet lyrics range from losing love to finding self-worth. They intermingle in a melancholic way — leaving a lasting impression on the listener for much longer than the 18-minute running time.
For now, the pop-heavy singles like “Josslyn” and, “Root Beer Float” are kept at bay and give way to a much more heartfelt sound. The stripped-down approach feels more genuine, giving this album more staying power than what the artist is known for.
While it is still fun to pop on “hate u love u” occasionally, one has to admit the sound is a bit dated at this point. On the other hand, “love & limerence” gives us the timeless music of a girl and her guitar. Sure, there are other instruments present here, but the voice and the strings are what make it memorable.
What is your favorite track on “love & limerence?” Let us know in the comments below.
Listen to, “love & limerence.”
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Charles E. Henning
Self-proclaimed "entertainment guru" Charles E Henning fills his free time reading books, watching movies, and listening to music. While not always up on the latest trends, he is consistently willing to dissect the themes of pop culture.
