Yo, check it—Olivia Millin’s “Start Again” is like a fresh drop on the block, mixing J-Pop flavor with that Western pop shine, and it ain’t playing by the old rules. At just 20, Millin comes in hard with an LP that’s equal parts streetwise energy and grown-up grit, turning raw heartache into a full-on battle cry.
Kicking things off with “Be With Me,” she sets up the vibe with a loud call for unity and self-love—a salute to her Japanese roots and that Western swagger. Think of it like a rebel anthem that flips the script, a fearless blend of smooth lyrics over beats that hit like a bass drop in a back alley; it’s the kind of crossover that takes risks and doesn’t back down.
Then you got the title track—it’s bilingual, switching between Japanese and English, proving early on that Olivia ain’t here to play by the book. Instead of riding the coattails of acts like Yoasobi or Atarashii Gakkou, she flips their style on its head—raw confessions layered over funky rhythms that pulse like a heartbeat in a neon-lit city. There’s a realness there that comes from being both open and mysterious, showing off her skills and bold vision without any gimmicks.
The album’s still got tracks with attitude—“Enter/Exit” and “TTYL” lay down smart commentary on the hookup culture and our digital disconnect. “Enter/Exit” is all about those quick fly-by connections, dripping with a vibe of tired resignation and a cheeky nod to the irony of it all. And “TTYL”? Millin’s cutting through the noise of endless texts and superficial chats, throwing it back to when real talk meant something—just like the rappers who once redefined the streets with their honest verses, only now it’s wrapped up in a global pop remix.
But what really ties it all together is how Olivia flips between high-energy hype and that deep, somber introspection. “The Flood” is like a midnight drive under city lights, starting with sparse, rainy piano beats that build up into a wall of percussion, mirroring that feeling of drowning in loneliness then coming up for air with something new. It’s raw, it’s slick, and it never feels overproduced—kind of a balancing act a lot of first-timers never pull off. Instead, her sound’s like a potent mix of ambition and vulnerability—a cocktail that’s both refreshing and real.
Throughout the album, there’s constant shout-outs to the rebellious spirit of rock, but with a twist: Olivia’s tearing down the walls of genre labels. She’s not just a pop star; she’s a cultural messenger and a fearless provocateur, throwing down lines that challenge the status quo while riding beats that make your heart race. In a scene choked with safe, recycled sound, “Start Again” stands out as a mirror reflecting life’s ups and downs and as a beacon for anyone ready to reinvent themselves again and again.
So if you’re looking for more than just hits—if you want tracks that speak on leveling up, staying true to your roots, and defying the norm—Olivia Millin’s “Start Again” is your invitation to step into the cypher, embrace the struggle, and start fresh every damn time.
