Olly Williams – Candles Turned To Ash (2026)
If I were to see my history teacher on stage, rocking out at a music festival that I happened to be attending, my reaction would be one of two: a complete, wide-eyed cringe OR a burst of laughter, saying, “Hey, that’s my history teacher! I know him!” When it comes to Olly Williams, there is a chance this might have happened.
Hailing from the UK, Wiltshire to be exact, singer-songwriter Olly Williams began his musical journey as a teenager busking on the streets of Bath. In 2019, he released his debut single, ‘Complicated Lady’, and then he spent the next five years working as a history teacher by day and writing and recording music by night – sometimes on weekends as well. In 2024, he released his debut album, Dubious Accord, and today we’re taking a look at his most recent release, ‘Candles Turned To Ash’.
Produced at Brighton Road Studios by Ali Gavan and joined by musicians Tom Inkpen (lead guitar), Dylan Louie (bass guitar), and Max Lascelles (drums), ‘Candles Turned To Ash’ teeters on the line between folk and rock ‘n’ roll. The drums have a pulsating but steady beat in the melody, somehow acting as an anchor in the rock ‘n’ roll ride. A bass guitar keeps the rhythm, but with a cheeky undertone; however, it is the lead guitar soaring, scorching and slicing across the track that gives a true rock-filled grit and edge.
The melody has its rock vibe made for the festival stage or dipping you into a jam session, but it is Williams’ vocals that are the standout feature. Obscure to say the least, the classically trained voice dances across the arrangement with an odd disconnect. It’s as if he were performing a solo song at an Eisteddfod, and the instruments are just an add-on in the background.
Not necessarily disconcerting, but kind of strange, I found myself wondering if ‘Candles Turned To Ash’ is good or not a song I’ll have on repeat. It made an impact, but was it the right one? For me, I’m not too sure.
In addition to the single, Olly Williams released an official music video for ‘Candles Turned To Ash’. You can view the video below and/or on his YouTube channel. Please note that this video uses lighting effects that can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
Find out more about Olly Williams on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
Listen to some folk music on The Other Side Reviews Folk playlist:
