TRACK-BY-TRACK: OLLIE HUNT TAKES US THROUGH 'PRELUDE'

Prelude is out now!

Image: Liz Sunshine.

Emerging Australian singer-songwriter, Ollie Hunt has unveiled his debut EP, Prelude. To celebrate the release, the musician is taking us through the collection of songs track-by-track.

CLOUD9

Opening the EP is Cloud9! Writing this song was so easy and effortless. I literally got sent a beat by my producer, sat in bed, and the song came together all by itself in about 30 minutes. This track is so upbeat and fun - it’s about that feeling someone gives you when you just can’t wait to see them. Whether your feelings are a little deluded or you’re looking through rose-coloured lenses, it captures that raw sense of positivity and excitement towards a person.

Cloud9, for me, is a standout. It’s a song I love jamming to in the car, in the shower, or with my friends. It’s relatable, easy to listen to, and just feels good. I’m also really proud of it because I wrote it completely by myself, and my team and producers loved it so much they didn’t change a thing. That made me feel so accomplished, like - wow, I can actually do this on my own and be the only person credited as a writer on the song. Everyone was like, “You’ve got this, you know what you’re doing,” and that meant everything.

RUNNING BACK

Running Back is my baby, my firstborn, really. Funnily enough, it was actually one of the last songs written for the EP. The project was basically finished. We had two other songs lined up, but they just didn’t feel right. So last minute, I decided to try writing something new and this song came so easily. I showed it to Gary Pinto, and he completely reworked the chorus into what it is now, and bang, Running Back was born.

It’s just a classic pop song, it’s so infectious. I wanted a track that everyone could relate to, that feeling of having someone in your life who, no matter how good or bad things get, you’re still there for them. That comfort, that loyalty, it’s powerful. And the moment we finished it, I knew this was the one. I couldn’t stop smiling. I was so proud.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m proud of every song on this EP, but this one had me in a chokehold. It changed the way I approach songwriting too now, I have to feel that “wow” moment with a track, or it doesn’t make the cut.

ILLUSION

As my second single, Illusion had to switch things up from Running Back but still stay in that pop lane. I pulled inspiration from all over - Sabrina Carpenter, 70s summer vibes and gave it a modern twist.

I actually wrote this one with some friends and family. It’s about watching someone you care about fall for a person who is just so wrong for them, and they can’t see it. We’ve all been there it’s frustrating, it’s helpless. This person is just an illusion. That’s what the song is calling out: “I see right through you, and it’s time to drop the façade. You’re not who you say you are, you’re just an illusion.”

LOOP

Loop has a special place in my heart because it was the first song I ever finished. It’s about being stuck in a cycle with someone where no matter how bad they make you feel, you just can’t get them out of your head.

Again, I think this is something so many people can relate to, and that’s really what I wanted this EP to be: an introduction to me, where you can see yourself in the music. I wanted every track to be easy to listen to, up for interpretation, and above all… relatable.

NIRVANA

The final song on the EP and the last one written. Funnily enough, Nirvana was actually meant for my next project, but it ended up being the perfect closer, so we added it here and I’m so glad we did.

This song is about the ache of longing for something or someone that just isn’t there. You’re chasing this imaginary ideal of a person, hoping and praying that you can change them, or that things will play out the way you want. But they don’t. Nirvana is that false paradise we all wish was real.

It’s hard to come to terms with the fact that what you envisioned was never going to happen, but I hope this song brings clarity to anyone who’s been there, because we all have.

Prelude is out now!