They say that if it’s too hot, then get out of the kitchen, but they don’t make allowances for those of us who still have to cook! Here I am braving what feels like a sauna to make fried chicken and potato salad, while everyone else is relaxing in the garden with cold drinks. However, with the cooking and moaning now out of the way, and the cat deciding to sleep peacefully (after a hard day’s sleeping) beneath the bay leaf tree, I’m turning my attention to the delightful Olivia Lynn.
We’ve been covering Olivia for years (we first started chatting when she was just 16) and it has been fascinating watching her career gather momentum. Her early material was full of fun, energy and youthful enthusiasm before things took a darker turn with “Ain’t That a Shame” and then the angst filled rocker “Red.” That final release saw her step away from music for a while, taking a much-needed hiatus. We caught up with her when she returned.
We spoke to you last when “Ain’t That a Shame” came out in 2022. This was a time when things were all exciting, singles were being released and plans for world domination were in place—you were the ultimate busy bee. But then, after “Red,” you suddenly dropped off the map and it was beach, bikini and disappearance!
Olivia: “In all honesty, that about sums it up. Remember that when I started, I was 15 years old, very young… and there was a lot going on and I’d changed during those years. After ‘Red’ came out, I decided to take a step away. I had been doing so much for three years straight and it was time to find some time for me… I really did go radio silent.”
Then back she came. Songs such as “6 Months” and “Open” paved the way for a more reflective, introspective Olivia, while “You’re No Good” explored heartbreak and emotional pain wrapped inside an infectious melody:
“Round my neck, hold me tight, make me feel like I can’t breathe – make me cry on the sofa…”
Those early releases after her return were backed up by more live performances, a stronger online presence and festival appearances, all of which attracted attention from a wide range of media outlets, including BBC Introducing. We always smile when artists we’ve championed for years finally start receiving recognition from the bigger names in the industry.
With that bit of background out of the way, I’ve just listened to the new single.
My Review
“Little Miss Nightmare” (Released July 10, 2026)
“Little Miss Nightmare” sees Olivia sporting a catsuit and curlers, but it also finds her having a great deal of fun. Musically, she dives into a commercial rock-country groove that develops confidently across its four-minute running time. Having spent the past couple of years working with a regular live band, there’s a renewed energy here that feels as though it’s naturally carried over into the studio.
There’s also something slightly theatrical about the songwriting. It reminded me at times of the witty character pieces from Six: The Musical, particularly as Olivia sings, “I’m not the kind of girl who likes to share” (in Six, Anne Boleyn cynically sings- “Don’t wanna be a girl in a threesome- are you blind?) Fans of Dolly Parton will also appreciate the knowing wink in the lyric, “You’re not Jolene, no you can’t have him.” These little lyrical Easter eggs reward repeat listens and show Olivia enjoying herself.
The beauty of the song is that nobody comes out entirely innocent or entirely guilty. Rather than wallowing in heartbreak, Olivia delivers the story with a knowing smile and a healthy dose of attitude. The drums give the track plenty of drive, while the clap-along section around the three-and-a-half-minute mark feels tailor-made for live audiences.
If “6 Months” showcased Olivia’s quieter, more reflective side, then “Little Miss Nightmare” edges back towards the fiery spirit of “Red”—only this time she’s clearly having much more fun.
This feels like another important step in Olivia Lynn’s evolution. The songwriting continues to mature, but she hasn’t lost the personality that first made us sit up and take notice all those years ago. Catchy, confident and packed with character, “Little Miss Nightmare” is another reminder that Olivia is an artist who refuses to stand still—and that’s exactly why she’s remained so enjoyable to follow.
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You can stream music from Olivia Lynn here
By Anna-Louise Burgess
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