Sky Olson – Cruise Control (2022)
Following up from his acclaimed single ‘Oxygen’, Sky Olsen paints a vivid picture through the instrumentation and vocals of ‘Cruise Control’. Packed with multiple layers of harmonies and synths, he blends them with a rich guitar to craft the story and imagery of the single. Bringing a touch of 80s vibes to his alternative pop sound, he transports you into his musical world with a masterful effortlessness.
An award-winning songwriter, his music pairs an eclectic mixture of topics and themes with melodies held together by shimmering soundscapes. Drawing on his own experiences, he writes music that is relatable and explores topics that resonate with listeners across the world. His musical style has seen him win the John Lennon Songwriter Contest Love Song Competition 2022 and landed him in the semi-final of the International Songwriting Competition 2021.
‘Cruise Control’ hits the retro vibes from the first moment, taking you back in time to the 1980s. There is a warm summer breeze woven into the retro tones of the melody. This all comes together for a really easy vibe that makes you want to sit back in the sun, close your eyes and soak up the music. The drums lay the road for the single, while the guitar notes offer the vehicle driving you down the road. Through the layers of the melody, Olson has you driving down an oceanside road with the windows down and the warm light of the sun heating the air. There is a touch of freedom to the track that has you leaving all your worries to bask in the easy warmth of the music. It is a really wonderful easy listening melody that overtakes your senses and inundates you with some good vibes that only a chilled summer song can offer.
As you are cruising down the open road that is the melody, Olson’s vocals take the mellow vibes to another level. His vocal performance carries a hint of breathiness that couples with the lyrics perfectly. Through the lyrics of the opening verse, he drops you into a moment of summer love where your breath is lost as you bask in the presence of another person. This leads you into the chorus that reaches out to your emotions and injects an airy happiness. The lyrics are wonderfully descriptive and you can almost see yourself in the moments he paints. His performance is delicately peppered with emotion that subtly sneaks into your heart and fills it with feelings he imparts.
Through the mellow, easy listening vibes of ‘Cruise Control’, Sky Olson takes you back in time to a summer love, while packing the warm emotions into your chest. The single is a delightfully chilled summer track that makes you think of warm sun, open roads and spending time with someone you love. Using lyrics that paint the scene and emotive vocals, he transports you into the moment and leaves you feeling warm for the rest of the day.
Find out more about Sky Olson on his website, Instagram and Spotify.
