Every artist releasing on Anjuna has followed in the footsteps of Oliver Smith, the first musician Jono, Paavo and Tony signed to the label nearly 25 years ago. It’s been a long time to wait for a debut artist album, but we think ‘Footprints’ is more than worth it.
Olie’s music has the timeless factor we’re always chasing on Anjuna. Load up a Smith & Pledger tune, one of his cloud themed cuts from his time living in Amsterdam, a Meramek or a Worldwide 08 track and they feel as relevant today as they did when first released. The secret, humble yet striking musical ideas delivered in a clean way that you can’t help but sing, dance or cry to.
‘Footprints’ is full of them, with an eclectic cast of collaborators including Tailor, FARLEY, and Benjamin Roustaing. There’s echoes of all eras of Olie’s sound on Anjuna, from catchy bassline driven tracks like ‘Legacy’ and ‘Be The One’, Meramek stylings in the house-leaning ‘Love Is A Feeling’ (with Susie Ledge) and ‘Open Up’, and soaring trance arps in ‘Don’t Hold Back’ and ‘Breathe’.
If you’ve followed Olie’s story to now, then this album will be on repeat for many years to come. We promise it won’t take 25 years for the next one.
The Story of ‘Footprints’
“I’ve been releasing music for years, but my own album always took a backseat. When I finally started the project I had so many ideas and was unsure where to begin. I decided to embrace the process and let the destination reveal itself. This inspired ‘Footprints’, the title for the album, as even the tracks that didn’t make it left an imprint, and were a necessary part of the journey.
I wanted to go beyond club music and tell real stories, so I collaborated with some incredible singers and songwriters who brought a whole new dimension to the project. Many of the songs were written together in the studio, and it was an amazing experience to work with such talented musicians and bring these ideas to life. Stepping outside my comfort zone and creating in new ways and places made the process even more exciting.
The music reflects my love for melody and groove, carrying an overall sense of hope and positivity. I put a lot of thought into making sure every track had something special and truly deserved its place on the album. I think people will recognise the thread that connects all my releases, and hopefully, they’ll enjoy the new directions I’ve explored as well.” – Oliver Smith
Catch Oliver Smith on tour…
In support of ‘Footprints’, Olie is heading off on tour across North America. There’s also a stop over in Albania for a festival some of you may know about – we’re already eyeing up that Meramek set…
Oliver Smith & Midnite Amity ‘Breathe’
Olie’s signature euphoric sound is on full display on ‘Breathe’, the new single from his upcoming album. Out now on Anjunabeats.
Best of Oliver Smith 2001 – 2018
Olie’s Anjunabeats Worldwide compilation with a mix that showcased some of our favourite tracks from his impressive back catalogue. Almost seven years have passed, but this mix stands the test of time with three continuous hours of Oliver Smith and Meramek classics. Perfect for knowledgeable fans and new listeners alike, check it out on our YouTube channel.