New York City’s folk darling Olivia Reid has released her Space To Roam EP, including soft-spoken title song “Space to Roam.” The contemplative single sees Reid aspire for stability and a place to call her own with a sound channeling the works of Maggie Rogers and Hollow Coves.
Starting the song are some panned-out guitars and doubled vocals, which establish a large folk soundscape. The foliage of the recordings that decorates the verses helps add to the intimacy of the song as Reid wishes “I had a place of escape.” Production and instrumentation builds into the second verse with the introduction of drums, strings and reserved guitars. Each element of the instrumentation takes up a small amount of space, ensuring that the personal tone of “Space to Roam” isn’t lost. The drum rhythm develops in the first half of the bridge and final chorus, helping the energy rise without seeming out of place. Without becoming overwhelming, Reid, along with co-producer Ry Jones, is able to create a delicate atmosphere that beautifully complements the romantic lyrics.
Having a space to own is a fantasy for many Australians, and Reid is able articulate this want for independence in the lyrics of “Space to Roam.” Beginning the song are the lines, “Markets crash, the world floods / The change comes fast in a rush,” reflecting modern anxieties over the future. In the second verse, Reid describes the “kind of perfect” home she’d like to have, which includes a “Dance floor for our daughter / And plenty of fresh water.”
The everyday desires against the magical instrumentation add to the fantastical and romantic nature of the song with these simple desires emphasising the sense of longing. This longing is laid bare in the chorus, “‘Cause I want a home / Maybe land I could own.” Reid’s lyricism finds the divine in life’s regularities, giving listeners an emotional connection to the sublime.
“Space to Roam” is the title track from the newly released EP by Olivia Reid and grants a soft space to process the stresses of the modern world. If you’re wanting to find some solace and comfort, “Space to Roam” is made for you.
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