The Brighton based singer songwriter Ollie Wride is out now with his much anticipated debut solo album, “Thanks in Advance” – and I’m pleased to report this record lives up to it’s hype!
Previously known as the vocal half of synthpop-dreamwave sensation FM-84, Wride has embarked his solo career with Michael Oakley co-producing a powerhouse of an album. The three singles released ahead of “Thanks in Advance,” “The Driver (feat. The Night Hour),” “Never Live Without You,” and “Overcome” really set the tone and pace of the album to come, establishing the crisp fantastic vocals and pure 1980s dreamy synth elation Ollie Wride has to offer.
But Wride hasn’t set out to replicate the FM-84 sound. Although still poppy, “Thanks in Advance” is incredibly distinct from his previous FM-84 work, immediately setting himself apart tonally. As Vehlinggo stated, “…there’s no confusing a Phil Collins solo effort with Genesis and vice-versa.”
Each of the tracks from “Thanks in Advance” invoke retro influences while crafting some truly delicious contemporary synth-pop. This album belts out catchy hit after catchy hit, ranging from pop power ballads to synth-stomping anthems sure to please fans of Michael Oakley, The Midnight, and Gunship!
