September 26, 20222 yr It sounds alright, reminds me a little of Donny Osmond’s ‘Who’. I’m not a fan of the vocal effects on Olly though!
October 5, 20222 yr Olly's profile page on the German Universal Music website has a new press shot and the following press biography which confirms the album is called "Marry Me" and is out on 2nd December: Olly Murs: "Marry Me" Don't believe everything you see on TV: Olly Murs has been away. For sure, the singer, songwriter and solid-gold pop star has been all over our screens in recent weeks and months. He's been front and center as host of ITV's Starstruck, helping the public make real their musical dreams, with wing-persons assistance from the likes of Shania Twain, Ronan Keating and Beverley Knight. Then, he returned to the big swivelly chair on The Voice. Appearing alongside fellow coaches Anne-Marie, Sir Tom Jones and will.i.am in the current run, this is his fifth consecutive season on the hit talent show. But in the artist world - the world that forged him, where he burnished the creative credentials that makes him an invaluable part of those musical shows - Murs has been off the radar for over four years. For a musician who had four Number One singles and four Number One albums in a near-back-to-back run after bursting onto the scene with his double-platinum self-titled debut in 2010, that's a big gap. But as he admits matter-of-factly, after the release of 2018's sixth album You Know I Know (a double that was half greatest hits, half new tracks) he needed a rest. And a reset. The result is Olly Murs' most consistent, most ambitious, punchiest, poppiest - and, in places, proudly soppiest - album yet. It's the Essex machine at his happiest, too. How do we know? The clue's in the title: Marry Me. The answer? Hint: she said yes. But before we get to that… “I won't lie,” Murs begins. “I was against doing the hits album. That's why I made it a double album - the songs you know, the songs that I know. Because I just wasn't ready for a hits album at that point in my career." As it happened, he then needed time to rebuild himself, personally and professionally. Firstly, after the 2019 You Know I Know tour, this keen footballer needed knee surgery. Secondly, he decided it was time to work with a fresh team, leaving Sony to sign a new record deal with EMI/Universal. "It was just a weird time for me," he reflects. “I was still single, personal life was a little bit all over the place… Work life was good, overall, but with that album campaign, my heart wasn't really in it. But my heart's in it now." That cardiac boost came from multiple directions. Firstly, Murs' ears lit up when he was sent a work-in-progress track by songwriter David Stewart. 'Die Of A Broken Heart' needed a second verse, and a proper vocal, but he could hear that this was a smash-in-waiting. “I went to David's studio in West London and we got into the writing together. That was really the start and the spearhead of everything. It gave me a direction of where the album could go." 'Die Of A Broken Heart' would become the first track on the album, and the first single. From the opening notes, you can hear why - this is an instant ear-worm, a one-listen-and-you're-hooked pop-reggae outlier. As Murs describes it: “It has that steel drum at the intro, which just gets in your head straight away. It has a very Gotye, 'Somebody I Used to Know' feel to it, with a touch of The Police - and just a coolness to it. That really excited me." So much so that Murs decided to dive deep and commit. Forging an instant connection with Stewart, and with the producer and multi-instrumentalist's songwriting partner Jessica Agombar, Murs ripped up entirely the creative process that had previously worked brilliantly for him. “I've done all my albums with lots of producers over the years, predominantly Steve Robson, Claude Kelly, Steve Mac, Wayne Hector, guys I've had great relationships and success with. But David just had a BTS hit with their song 'Dynamite', stuff with Jonas Brothers, DNCE, more stuff with BTS, and he'd just done the new Shania Twain record…” So he jumped in, committing to writing and recording the album solely with David Stewart and Jessica Agombar. “I've never done this before. It felt weird writing with the same people constantly. But I loved the routine, and the consistency. We just kept writing good songs. "They are in the mix right now," he continues. “They just had a great vibe and an enthusiasm, and a hunger. They've just had a Billboard number one, a number one in over 100 countries. That enthusiasm and energy that I got from them, that was it. That was the start." The start, but no starting pistol: Murs was determined not to race to the finish. Even though, again, that was something that had paid dividends in the past. “Previous albums, I've done them in 12 weeks, 10 weeks, sometimes eight weeks, nonstop, jumping from studio to studio, benefiting from that injection of enthusiasm from someone new, that new producer, that new room – new lunch menu! " But to craft the tight set of 11 songs that would become Marry Me, he took the best part of two years, working a week here, and a week there. "And we had space," he adds. “That's the best thing about this album: we were patient. We didn't waste time. We took our time. And when it felt good, we finished the song. When it didn't feel good, we moved on. There was no pressure." The team were also concise. No throwing multiple tracks against the wall to see what stuck. To put that in perspective: for his last album, he and his collaborators wrote some 40 songs. "And that was for the hits album!" he laughs. “This album, we did maybe 16. That's mad – 16 songs in two years. But that's because we were focused. We took our time. Didn't overdo it. We spent just the right amount of time with each other. We didn't annoy each other. And,” he grins, it just f***ing worked.” The joy and energy of that creative process ripple and radiate out from Marry Me. Case in point: 'Go Ghost'. The playfulness of the lyric is matched by the very Eighties bounce of the track, like peak A-Ha for the social media age. “That was one of the last songs we wrote. Reading the market, reading what was TikTok'ing, it felt like this would fit really well in the current market,” he says, unabashed, happy to admit to the realpolitik realities all hit-seeking writers have to embrace. “It's a social media content-type of song, with a modern lyric. It's about when you finally meet the love of your life and your friends are asking you to go down the pub to watch football, you're like: 'Nah, I'm quite happy just going ghost and being with the love of my life .' I used to chase women, I used to go out, live my life, partying, clubbing, drinking with my mates. But now I'm away from all that madness. Now I'm in love." Hey is indeed. Murs met his partner in 2019, another big change. This life-changing jolt is reflected in another new song. 'I Found Her' is a big tune with big energy and a big, soaring synth line. “I was hearing Eighties-sounding songs in the charts like what The Weeknd was doing,” remembers this keen student of pop music. “That's where that big energy you're describing came from, all dramatic and Eighties-like. We wrote the song based on my partner – or any woman. She's at the center of the earth, and all these superheroes are trying to get to her. But if the world ends, at least - at last - I've found her. “We wanted that bounce in the chorus, and that Jagger or Bowie strut, me with my chest out – I can imagine me in a sequinned onesie,” he hoots, as if storyboarding a video for what is surely a nailed-on single. "Yeah, we had fun writing that one." Also bringing the good-time party vibes is 'Dancing on Cars', a tune with an exuberant 'Pull Up To The Bumper' feel. And if you're gonna tap into anyone's funky vibe, Grace Jones is the one, right? “This is the only one I didn't write. David said, 'look, I wrote this f***ing banger and I think it would work perfectly on the album.' It's got that, again, modern funk feel - but my granddad would love to dance to it because it's got that old '70s funk in it, with brass. It just ticks all the boxes. And I like the idea of me dancing on a car!” he hoots, scripting yet another surely inevitable iconic video moment. Then, after the dancing and the partying, the romance. Rounding out Marry Me is 'Let Me Just Say'. The album's closing track is the only ballad, and offers not just a showcase for Murs' effortlessly classy voice but also for his deepest emotions. "It was probably the last song we wrote on the album, and you can probably tell at that point I was engaged," he acknowledges. “So it's almost a story, really – the whole album is the two years leading up to me proposing. This is the final song on the album, and it's written as if the lights are down low, we're on the dancefloor for our wedding, looking at each other…” …and fade to marital bliss. "That's the most open I've ever written," Murs admits, clearly high on being able to honor and immortalize his bride-to-be in this way. “That's genuine love. But as for 'Marry Me' itself,” he adds of the finger-snapping, hip-shaking, dance floor-ready title track, “that's more my cheeky side. I'm saying: I think it's time you married me, really!'” It's sure to have them dancing - if not proposing - in the aisles next year, when Olly Murs gets back on tour. Last time round he sold 180,000 tickets for UK arenas in 2019. He's determined to go bigger, better, louder next time in a show that will, he thinks, open with another new track. The Greatest Showman-esque 'The Best Night of Your Life' features strings by the legendary Mike Batt (who also appears on two other tracks), and the larky lyrics reference songs by other great showmen he rates, notably Elton John and Robbie Williams. "I can already see me on stage doing that one," nods this natural-born stage performer. And so, Mr Olly Murs, anything else to declare - other, of course, than 'I do'? "I'm f***ing back, mate!" he declares, beaming. “Back with a fresh mind, fresh enthusiasm, fresh confidence. And I'm f***ing buzzing. I've got my music. I know where I am now. “People only see what's in the headlines, or what's on Instagram or Twitter. What they don't understand behind the scenes is that so much has been going on personally for me. So to know that I'm in the best place I've been in my life means that I can give my fans the best version of me. And this album is the best version of that." The future Mrs Murs, we're sure, would agree. New album 'Marry Me' is out December 2nd on EMI Records I must admit, between what I'm reading here and the "soft launch" on TikTok, I am bracing myself for this album to be to Olly what "Above The Noise" was to McFly; trend chasing and fitting in when that was never the point of either act in the first place. But I'll reserve full judgement until the single drops Friday. He's on Zoe Ball on Radio 2 that day to give it it's first play. Edited October 5, 20222 yr by ThePensmith
October 7, 20222 yr Im not really sure about this, was expecting something different, maybe it will change after a few listens.
October 7, 20222 yr I really like it - very 2004 but it’s a good song and I can see radio taking to it.
October 7, 20222 yr I've just had my first listen. I think I was right to have my initial reservations. Admittedly, Olly has released records that sound like nothing else he has released in the past - "Kiss Me" and "You Don't Know Love" for example - but they worked because whilst they were something different sound wise, melodically and aesthetically they were still an Olly song and he made it his own. This feels, sound wise and visually based on the campaign imagery we've seen so far - and I'll be completely honest here - like him trying to sledgehammer himself into a box that he doesn't need to. Which is why I made the point of reference to McFly and "Above The Noise". On that album, somewhere between working with Dallas Austin and another major label getting involved, they started releasing songs like "Party Girl" which couldn't decide what they wanted to be and it flopped. I just hope the album has better songs than this but so far? I'm not here for this.
October 7, 20222 yr There's some bits I like but I'm not sure what I make of the chorus, a little bit underwhelming.
October 7, 20222 yr Not quite sold on this, I’ve liked most to all of Olly’s lead singles but this might take some more time.
October 7, 20222 yr Olly Murs is performing on The One Show tonight and he will think the extra viewers will be to see him performing his new single but nope it will be for the Eurovision annoucement.
October 7, 20222 yr This isn't a bad little track. It does sound a little dated, and the second half of the chorus sounds oddly like an Ariana Grande track, but it's okay. It's unlikely to do much chartwise, but it'll get him visibility for the album release.
October 7, 20222 yr the second half of the chorus sounds oddly like an Ariana Grande track, but it's okay. I completely hear it, the rest of it gives me Maroon 5 does Reggae Pop again which I think suits him. I like it, I think it's catchy. Edited October 7, 20222 yr by JulianNial
October 7, 20222 yr and here's the tracklisting, can the threat title be changed please? ;) 1. Die of a Broken Heart 2. I Found Her 3. Go Ghost 4. 25 5. Dancing On Cars 6. Do Me Like That 7. Marry Me 8. Best Night of Your Life 9. I Hate You When You're Drunk 10. Don't Stop Dancing 11. Let Me Just Say
October 7, 20222 yr Sounds like I'm the only one that loves it then, well that's fine with me! Yeah I got Maroon 5 vibes from it instantly, didn't get Ariana but I'll pay attention when I next listen to it. I must admit, between what I'm reading here and the "soft launch" on TikTok, I am bracing myself for this album to be to Olly what "Above The Noise" was to McFly; trend chasing and fitting in when that was never the point of either act in the first place. But I'll reserve full judgement until the single drops Friday. He's on Zoe Ball on Radio 2 that day to give it it's first play. I got the complete opposite from reading that interview - he's writing songs that feel more authentic to him, with no time constraints or pressure. I think it's great that he's trying a different approach than his earlier albums. (And for what it's worth 'Above The Noise' had some fantastic songs on it, even if it didn't sound very McFly and turned out to be quite a misfire of an album.) Btw can the thread title be corrected by a mod, to either 'Die Of A Broken Heart' (1st single) or 'Marry Me' (7th album). Edited October 7, 20222 yr by Mangø
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