Establishing the mood with an emotively strummed acoustic guitar soundscape, Olly Williams opens Candles Turned to Ash with passion and introspection as he questions, “Was there something else I could have said, did the mind rush way too far ahead, did I tear us down beyond repair?”
Olly continues with a high emotional quotient as he shares notions of his lived experience with a theatrical allure. There is no doubt that Candles Turned to Ash would be perfect for a West End or Broadway musical. The charisma that Olly Williams performs with is tangible, and his energy feels timeless.
We appreciate the raw authenticity that transmutes, as well as the sonic build of the production with electric guitars, bass, and textured drums. The overarching message feels relatable, and is filled with poetic prowess. It is clear that Olly is writing from a personal place as he seeks healing and hope. We can also imagine that fans of Elvis and Bowie would be able to connect with what Olly Williams is creating. The guitar solo is sublime and the chord transitions truly tap into our heart’s centre.
Speaking on the release, Olly confesses, “It is a sincere song about loving and losing.” The star adds, “[The] lyrics explore and narrate the trappings of a love triangle, the recurring line ‘Now our candles have turned to ash for a better man to ignite’ epitomises the theme of unreserved regret which intensifies as the song progresses.”
Candles Turned to Ash arrives in the wake of Olly Williams’ debut album Dubious Accord. He cites the influence of Nick Cave, Roy Orbison, and Elliott Smith for his songwriting, which we can feel manifest, although there is no doubt that Olly Williams is creating a sonic universe of his own.
A seasoned live performer since his early teens, it is no surprise that he first took to the stage as an Elvis tribute act, busking on the streets of Bath. In 2019, he stepped decisively into songwriting with the release of his debut single Complicated Lady.
Needless to say, we are in awe, and have added Candles Turned to Ash to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we immerse ourselves in the cinematic music video for the song, and continue to stream the wider discography of Olly Williams, including the entirety of Dubious Accord.