Sometimes at Above the Crowds we get lucky and see incredible performances when we least expect them. And that was the case with Olive Jones opening for Gotts Street Park back in December 2025 at Lido Berlin.
Seriously, she left tough shoes to fill and promised she would come back to Berlin. She did.
This time touring For Mary, an incredible album you should probably listen to. Here’s why.
For Mary feels like a collection of songs written across different moments, different years and different versions of the same person. Olive Jones herself has described it as a tapestry, or a quilt, which is probably a better way of putting it than trying to force a big red thread where there might not be one.
Or, as we see it here, an open door into Olive Jones’ living room on a rainy afternoon.
Because even if we can’t spot one clear conceptual line running through the whole album, it doesn’t really matter. The warmth and intimacy of the London-based singer is more than enough to carry us through 12 tracks packed with soul, blues and the kind of voice that makes you feel slightly rude for doing anything else while it plays.
She grew up around soul, jazz and great voices, later found her grounding in the Leeds music scene, joined the electronic soul band Noya Rao, and eventually stepped into her own solo world. And yes, you can listen to all of that in For Mary.
But for us, the one is “End of Time”.
As mentioned before, we first got to know Olive Jones through Gotts Street Park, and “End of Time” stands out in that vibe. Our favourite here, and maybe yours too.
Still, For Mary is not just a great voice over pretty arrangements. “Mary” circles around care, mental health and the helplessness of wanting to bring someone back into the light.
“Even darkness deserves a chance to smile.”
Yeah. That’s pretty much the album.
All in all, For Mary finds you where you want to be. Exploring Olive Jones’ wonderful singing and songwriting. What more can we say?
Just hit play.
Listen where you listen:
