REVIEW: Oliver Symons Finds Freedom in the Euphoria of ‘Wake up’
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY ALICIA ZAMORA ☆
William Van Bavel
OLIVER SYMONS HOLDS ONTO YOUTH AND FREEDOM WITH “WAKE UP”—Oliver Symons wants to make the most of being young on his new single, “Wake up.”
Out now via Los Angeles label Maison Arts, the track is about falling in love, taking risks and living in a moment without thinking too far ahead.
The release follows “Looper,” which became Belgium’s Studio Brussel’s most-played record, and “What Is Happening?” which showed a more vulnerable side of the Belgian artist. On “Wake up,” Symons brings that same emotional honesty into a bigger sound, pairing his close-up vocals with layered production that builds around the song’s carefree spirit.
“Wake up” takes inspiration from films like The Dreamers and One Battle After Another. For Symons, the song reflects the kind of summer that stays with you long after it’s over, when everything feels possible and you’re not quite ready for life to change.
“‘Wake up’ is a song about love, youth and freedom,” he shares. “The song represents a period of a free-spirited and almost revolutionary way of living while being young adults. Driven by naive but very heartfelt ideals and deep love during a summer that probably will never come back.”
That last thought runs through the song itself. In the chorus, Symons sings, “Honey I would risk it all” before returning to the line, “We will never be this young.” Rather than looking back on youth with regret, he focuses on what it feels like to be in the middle of it, when taking a chance on someone or something comes naturally.
Symons is no stranger to making music that connects with listeners. Before launching his solo career, he established himself as a producer and member of Bazart, the Belgian band known for its major festival appearances and arena shows across Belgium and the Netherlands. His solo releases have allowed him to put his own voice and songwriting at the center.
With roots in Antwerp and a growing connection to Los Angeles, Symons continues to bring those two worlds together in his music. Collaborations with Alessandro Buccellati, Gianluca Buccellati and Nathan Boddy have helped shape his production, blending a more melancholic European sensibility with the sounds of contemporary American pop.
“Wake up” is the latest step in that journey, with more music planned as Symons moves into his next chapter with Maison Arts. For now, he’s focused on a feeling that needs little explanation: being young, being in love and not wanting the summer to end.
