Olivier Laurent Releases New Album ‘Solin Anj’ and Connects With Us to Share the Journey Behind It
- STAFF
- Sep 20
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 21
By: Staff
Olivier Laurent’s ‘Solin Anj’ is a profound, soul-stirring masterpiece that captivates with every note and lyric.
Olivier Laurent, the beautiful mind behind the groundbreaking ‘Solin Anj’, has crafted a sound that is both intimate and larger-than-life. A concept album that weaves together music, storytelling, and visual art, 'Solin Anj' takes listeners on an emotional journey through themes of hope, fear, transformation, and the complex realities of welcoming new life. With a voice that commands attention and lyrics that dive deep into personal, universal experiences, Laurent’s latest project is more than an album, it's a multifaceted expression of life itself. From the introspective depths of “For A Long Time Pt.2” to the triumphant horn-filled sounds of “Sold Out,” the entire album unfolds like a storybook, with every note feeling like a page turned in a lifetime of emotions.
We spoke with Olivier Laurent to dive deeper into the heart of 'Solin Anj,' exploring how his own personal transitions shaped the album and how he navigates blending vulnerability with musical mastery. We discussed the evolution of his sound, his views on art’s power to help process emotions, and the layers of meaning behind both the music and the accompanying children’s book.
What led him to this artistic crossroads? How did this intimate project transform from a personal expression into a universal story? Find out in our conversation with Olivier Laurent.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello Olivier Laurent, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. We loved Solin Anj. The opening bassy notes of "For A Long Time Pt.2" were an absolutely excellent precursor for your incredible vocal delivery. You have a terrific and powerful commanding presence. Additionally, your lyrics are so deep and emotional, but they take it to another level that feels up close and personal, and we relate to them so much. The supporting musical arrangement and harmony background vocals are absolutely fantastic. From that to "Solin Anj," which displayed a much more commanding moment in your life where you seemed like you had retaken control, all the way to the beautiful horns of "Sold Out," you took the whole life story of yours full circle. You're literally sharing yourself, but in a way that feels like an entire lifetime laid out in one album. When did you first realize the power of your voice and creative abilities? Your lyricism, musical arrangement, and production are world-class, and what moment in your life transformed it from a personal, intimate expression to a tool for sharing your story with the world, ultimately laying the foundation for the impactful career we see today?
A. I noticed the power of my voice truly when I had a fan tell me that my music helped them when they were suffering from depression. Energy never dies, it is only transferred from one person to another. I live by that quote everyday. I feel like if my energy through my music can truly help someone, there’s real power in that.
Q. What message do you want to express with Solin Anj? How do you hope that resonates with fans?
A. One thing I hope resonates with people is that you deserve all the good happening in your life. I was in therapy for awhile and my therapist told me that I was letting imposter syndrome stop me from getting everything that I deserve. A lot of people receive blessings but we let the feeling of not knowing if we truly deserve that blessing stop us from being happy and accepting it.
Q. Your style and presentation were amazing. Your sound is really unique, and it's clear you've cultivated something distinct. Is this particular musical style and delivery something you've always embraced from the very beginning of your journey, or has it evolved over time from influences or other genres you experimented with earlier?
A. My style and presentation has truly evolved throughout the years from studying artists like Mach hommy, Westside Gunn, Roc Marciano & Curren$y. Part of being an artist is finding not only who you are, but also who you want to be. So with every project I release I find myself talking about who I’m going to be. It’s beautiful because I’m only getting closer and closer to that person.
Q. This quote has us absolutely dead on the floor: "The project explores the emotional journey of welcoming a new life into the world, framed from the imagined perspective of a child preparing to be born." Wow. First of all, what a truly needed concept for the world to learn. Second of all, it's such a never-before-uttered thought that feels like it needs its own dictionary term. How and what exactly made you go "the world needs this?"
A. I’ve always been into different scenarios of “what if.” When writing the book I was already writing it from my perspective but I felt there’s a million books like that. One day it clicked for me and I said “what if” i decided to write this in the perspective of the baby in the womb. It could go in so many directions and It adds more depth to the story.
Q. Can you tell us how you landed on the album title Solin Anj? Was it your first choice, or was it an evolution?
A. At first I was going to make this a side B to my last project “Lavi Bon.” Then I realized that it wouldn’t match because these are two completely different stories. I think of children as angels, so I wanted to have that in the title. I felt at that point I should utilize Haitian Creole because it adds a layer of depth so it instead of saying angel I would use “Anj.” Then I thought of the Sol which means Sun in creole and then made a name out of it.
Q. Since Solin Anj speaks to a lot of emotional complexity, does it ever feel difficult to reveal so much of yourself in such a comment and judgment-driven world, or do you find it liberating to express that level of vulnerability through your music?
A. I’ve come to realize that people are going to judge you regardless. If I let judgments from the world affect me I wouldn’t strive to do anything. All I’m worried about is sharing and hopefully somebody understands my story. I’m not trying to be for everyone, I’m trying to be for someone.
Q. When you're writing a song, or even a full album, do you feel more like you're chasing something or letting go of something (emotionally)?
A. This is a great question. I think it’s a little bit of both. A lot of my music is just me reporting on a specific time period in my life and letting it go. At the same time, I’m chasing this new person im striving to be and allowing the music to sort of be the manifestation of that.
Q. Solin Anj is deeply rooted in the emotional journey of welcoming new life, and you’ve mentioned that it was inspired by your own personal transitions. Could you share the specific experiences or moments in your life that shaped this album, and how those moments influenced the themes of hope, fear, and transformation in the project?
A. I realized that my fear of commitment became most visible during this transition in my life. At some point, we all have to face the fears that hold us back, and for me, this was one I had to confront head-on. Commitment isn’t weakness, it’s beauty, it’s strength, it’s hope, it’s life. Deep down, I think what we all truly want is someone who is fully committed to not just to being with us, but to embracing everything that makes us who we are.
Q. Solin Anj doesn’t just blend music and storytelling, it integrates a children’s book too. What was the initial spark that led you to combine these two forms of artistic expression making this something we feel everyone should experience?
A. The spark wasn’t really one moment, it was more like a calling. Some stories don’t fit in just one medium, so Solin Anj had to live in more than one world. The children’s book holds the innocence, the hope, while the music carries the weight, the questions, the truths we don’t always want to face. Together, they mirror life, the light and the shadows, side by side. That’s why it’s not just something to consume, but something to experience.
Q. This album is 100% proof that you’re not one to chase trends or hype. How does this perspective shape your approach to releasing music in a world so focused on immediate gratification and viral moments?
A. I don’t really think in terms of trends or algorithms. That’s fast food. I’m more interested in cooking something slow, something you can come back to when the moment’s passed and it still nourishes you. The hype will always come and go, but if you build from truth, the art outlives the moment. Solin Anj was never meant to go viral, it was meant to live forever.
Q. Solin Anj is a layered listening experience. Was there a particular emotional tone or atmosphere you were most focused on conveying through the sound of the album?
A. The atmosphere? It’s the space between the light and the shadow. The moment right before joy turns into pain or pain into joy. I wasn’t after one feeling. I was after the place where all of them collide. That’s where Solin Anj lives.
Q. Given the concept of Solin Anj, how important is the relationship between visual storytelling and music for you in this project? Do you see them as complementary or inseparable?
A. The visuals aren’t separate from the music, they’re the same heartbeat. Sometimes the eye catches what the ear can’t, and the ear feels what the eye won’t. For Solin Anj, they’re inseparable.
Q. With your music, you’ve cultivated a sense of laid-back confidence. Do you believe this relaxed approach allows you to reach deeper emotional places in your songwriting by avoiding letting emotion interfere? This is the essence we got, can you expand or direct us to your POV?
A. Laid-back isn’t absence, it’s balance. Chase the feeling and it slips away, sit still and it sits with you. I don’t run from emotion, I let it breathe until it speaks its real name. That’s the voice you hear in the music.
Q. Solin Anj explores complex emotions like fear, hope, and love. What role do you think art plays in helping people process those emotions in a healthy way, especially when it comes to major life changes?
A. In my opinion, art is how we survive change without losing ourselves.
Q. Now that your fans have had a chance to learn more about your project, we want to dive into something that’s just as important, your name. For those meeting you for the first time, is Olivier Laurent your given name or a stage name? As we’ve seen, your fans are sure to become deeply invested in your music, and they’ll be curious about the meaning behind everything that makes up your artistic journey. So, when it comes to your artist name, how does it connect with the music you’re creating? What’s the story behind it, and what does your name represent to you and to the fans who are just getting to know you?
A. Olivier Laurent is my real name. Nothing more, nothing less.
Q. And finally, what’s next? Can you give us the inside scoop on your upcoming projects and what fans should be excited about? We'd love to be the first to share the news!
A. Let’s just say Solin Anj was a seed, what grows from it will speak for itself.
Olivier Laurent, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Olivier Laurent’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
