Alberta, Canada’s own Ollee Owens may have released her first album just two years ago, but she used that momentum to keep going. Under her own record label, Ollee Music, Inc. her newest album, Nowhere To Hide, was recorded in Nashville and produced by Bobby Blazier.
The title track off Nowhere To Hide immediately starts with outlaw guitar draws, Owens’ soulful and booming vocals accompanied by the banging of the drums making the first song of the album an instant hook. The lyrics synergize the rowdiness of the music, focusing on barreling into trouble and sneaking right out of it, causing trouble, but not being able to hide from it all while celebrating the memories, exuding Bonnie and Clyde vibes.
“Solid Ground” brings a smoother and calmer blues vibe highlighted by the saxophone and keys. While most blues numbers reminisce about grief or loss, Owens delivers an upbeat message reminding audiences to remain grounded and with a clear mind when the universe is chucking lemons at you. While Nowhere To Hide was about causing trouble, “Solid Ground” concentrated on standing your ground when trouble catches up to you.
“Some Days” is made for radio. It has the perfect high-energy pop beat with deep blues undertones, a solid guitar solo, and catchy lyrics with a bridge perfect for screaming in the car as you drive into the sunset.
The fourth track on the album, “Roots” is a softer toned track that sounds like a cool breeze flows. It’s refreshingly easy to listen to with minimal instruments that barely touch the air so as to not take away from the ferocity of Owens’ message: remember who you are and to not let the weight of the world take over.
Completely switching gears, “Love You Better” is more of a country-western pop song than blues rock, but it perfectly fits in the album. Most women in blues try to prove their toughness or ruggedness but Owens shows a softer side by inviting love in and promising a beautiful life together.
Pulling it back to the blues, “Still In Pieces” dives into heartbreak and how deeply it cuts to be emotionally hurt. Owens’ authentic wails, keyboard, and guitar solos make the song what it is: pure, unadulterated, talent.
“Shivers and Butterflies” is a sweet love song complimenting the hard work put into a relationship during “Love You Better,” and rolls right into the eighth track on the album perfectly. “My Man” is a celebratory song about Owens’ partner, to whom she says “I love you, baby” at the end of the recording. Keeping in theme with being in love, “Love Hung Around” is another pop-country song fed blues notes by guitar riffs on Nowhere To Hide, a song detailing how life changes simply because of who is in it.
“The Neighborhood” starts with horn flicks in between the deep beat of the bass, immediately drawing a jazz tone to the song. Owens showcases clips of storytelling as the lyrics unveil various issues within the neighborhood and how bad the struggle of survival can be.
Wrapping up Nowhere To Hide with the final song “Lord Protect My Child,” Owens released a gospel literally praying for the aptly titled song. This song would be beautiful and intimate to hear live. As a mom, special education teacher turned assistant principal and foster parent, I would cry. The angelic sax paired with the backup vocalists as Owens laments could stop anyone in their tracks.
The Review: 8/10
Can’t Miss Tracks
– Solid Ground
– Still in Pieces
– My Man
– The Neighborhood
– Nowhere To Hide
The Big Hit
– Nowhere To Hide
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