Olivia Reid Tosses and Turns in Nightmare Machine”

Last updated: January 27, 2024 8:04 pm

By Divine Magazine July 25, 2023

2 Min Read

New York-based indie-folk artist Olivia Reid’s latest addition to the indie music scene, “Nightmare Machine,” is a captivating blend of inspired electronics and her introspective style.

Exemplifying her knack for turning turmoil into compelling music, Reid weaves a poignant tale of emotional fatigue and yearning for escape. Her narrative, an amalgamation of sleep as both a desired sanctuary and a source of terror, is depicted against a backdrop of tender vocals, masterfully layered accents, and complex instrumentation, a testament to the cinematic sound engineering of Reid and co-producer So Wylie.

“Nightmare Machine” is a sonic manifestation of Reid’s personal restlessness, a state triggered by real-world events such as the tragic Las Vegas shooting, the onslaught of gun violence, police brutality, and rampant social division. Juxtaposing calming acoustic guitar work and velvety saxophone tones with nuanced observations and complex arrangements, Reid creates a distinctive theater to present her viscerally personal experience. The track utilizes its eclectic palette to establish the narrative lack of control Reid feels in this position, with each distinct sound ebbing into the compositional foreground before regressing systematically. Reid’s repetitive pleading to the imaginative “King of Dreams” underscores her growing uneasiness coalesced by days or weeks, even without an opportunity to recharge.

Overall, this track’s unique atmosphere and vulnerable lyrics are its most compelling elements. The melancholic tune upholds Reid’s artistic vision, subverting explosive choruses for a more depthful, and less predictable delivery. Her unique interpretations paint an honest portrait of the emotional states she discusses, offering listeners a chance to connect with the shared human experience of longing amidst distress. Listen to “Nightmare Machine” below and visit her at OliviaReid.com.