Track Review: Neverland // Ollie Twohill

Embracing his passion for music at a young age (only 7 to be exact), singer-songwriter Ollie Twohill has filled his life and others with sound. For the past 6 years, this youngster has been playing professionally at several venues, festivals and even busking. Influenced by the likes of Foo Fighters, Green Day, Avril Lavigne, John Mayer and Blink 182, he nods to the sounds of old-school pop-rock and pop-punk; something I personally feel we need more of today. The latest addition to his discography is the single ‘Neverland’.

When I heard the title, I immediately imagined J.M. Barrie’s fictional Neverland where Peter Pan, Tinkerbell and all The Lost Boys lived – it isn’t too far off Ollie’s single ‘Neverland’. Inspired by Maurice Sendak’s Where The Wild Things Are, Ollie shares that the song “…is a place in my mind called Neverland, which is an oasis and retreat from the daily challenges of life, particularly the current world turmoil and instability. The song is for all those marginalised people out there that don’t quite fit in and get hassled in their day-to-day lives.”

Following his well-received single ‘Silk Dress’, ‘Neverland’ is filled with strong pop-punk vibes taking listeners back to the 90s and early 2000s. A strong weaving of Blink 182, Good Charlotte and Green Day act like a shining thread in Ollie’s sonic tapestry. Yet, while the pop-punk groove is a shimmering thread, it is Ollie Twohill’s bold vocals that make the song glow. Rich, warm and enchanting, but with an old-school brashness, ‘Neverland’ is flowing but abrupt.

What I love about ‘Neverland’ is how it touches on issues of adolescent angst, anxiety and despair; however, the smoothness (even though it is a bit abrupt) wraps you in a comfortable blanket knowing that someone else “gets it”. I might be a bit biased when it comes to Ollie Twohill and ‘Neverland’, but I think it’s rather awesome. The beautiful theme song for Peter Pan’s Neverland.