Stuck in Traffic is olliray’s first album. The story begins in 2017 with the release of BoxRox, a small electronic idea that became the spark for everything that followed. Over the next two years the music grew slowly and naturally in a small flat in South London. Most of the songs began as simple synth sketches that later opened into fuller pieces with piano, guitar and voice.

The title came from a real moment in late 2018. Olliray was waiting for his dad to arrive for lunch. His dad was stuck in traffic and the delay gave him an unexpected pocket of time. In that quiet stretch he recorded all the vocals for the title track in one take. When his dad finally arrived he played him the music and asked what he should call it. His dad smiled and gave the answer that became the name of the whole album.

Stuck in Traffic holds the feeling of that early period. Raw, instinctive and made by ear. A blend of electronic textures and intimate melodies shaped between 2017 and late 2018, and released in January 2019.

For fans of synthwave, retrowave and 80s inspired electronic music.

Stuck In Traffic

Late night piano covers recorded live at Rita Road Studios in London ; intimate ; spacious ; and soothing.

Each track is a one take performance of songs I love ; from Nick Mulvey and Big Thief to Coldplay ; Billie Eilish ; Radiohead ; Florence + The Machine ; Olivia Dean ; The Paper Kites ; and Ed Sheeran ; recorded with two mics on the piano and one for the vocal ; with light reverb and stereo to keep it close but wide.

Includes The Scientist ; Birds of a Feather ; All I Need ; Afterglow ; Shake Off The Rain ; How Could I Have Known ; Wake Up Now ; Music by Men ; Nice To Each Other ; and Co-op.

New covers added regularly ; follow to catch the next one.

#pianocover #pianovocal #acousticcover #solopiano #indie #indiefolk #folk #singersongwriter #piano #soothing #calming #intimate #london #ritaroadsessions #olliray

Piano Covers by olliray

A loose collection of original songs by olliray; written and recorded at home over different seasons of life

Piano; guitar and electronic textures weave through these tracks; late night; cinematic and a bit spiritual; sitting between indie folk and modern electronic soundscapes

These are the songs behind the covers; the world I am really writing from

#olliray #originalmusic #originalsongs #singersongwriter #piano #indiefolk #indieelectronic #acoustic #electronic #cinematic #spiritual #latenight #homerecording #independentartist #london

Original Songs by olliray

Immerse yourself in the poignant melodies and evocative lyrics of Olliray, an artist who masterfully captures the essence of love, loss, and the bittersweet moments in between. This playlist, featuring tracks like "Catch The Sky," "Champagne Kissed," "Cry," and "Fallin' For You," showcases Olliray's talent for creating songs that resonate deeply with the heart.

Each track in this collection explores themes of heartache, nostalgia, and romantic regret. With heartfelt lyrics and soulful vocals, Olliray reflects on unrequited love and the memories of how things used to be. The emotive power of acoustic ballads and the melodic harmony of piano and guitar duets shine through in every song.

Experience the tender moments and reflective music as Olliray takes you on a musical journey through the highs and lows of love. From the soulful performance of "Hey Lover" to the introspective lyrics of "Who Knows Where You Are," this playlist is a testament to Olliray's ability to convey deep emotions and sentimental tunes.

Whether you're reminiscing about a lost romance or finding solace in the beauty of melancholy, Olliray's music offers a perfect blend of deep emotions and heartfelt expressions. Let the music speak, and let your heart feel with the sounds of Olliray.

Spotify/Itunes etc

How Long

Planet Earth is a quiet song about love that arrives for a moment ; and the strange mix of hope and acceptance that comes with knowing nothing stays.

The verses sit inside that longing ; wanting to be close ; offering lifelines ; holding on to the smallest windows of togetherness. The chorus widens out into the bigger truth ; dreams and plans keep moving ; and the heart still tries anyway.

By the end it is less about fighting time ; and more about recognising what love teaches you as it passes through. It closes with a simple wish ; just one more day on planet earth with the person you care about.

Planet Earth

This Race Is Run ; olliray

Driven by a pulsing drum machine at 128 BPM ; this track is built like motion itself ; dark ; atmospheric ; and quietly relentless.

I wrote it with all the hype around the Brad Pitt Formula One film in the air ; I had not seen it yet ; but it had me thinking about the sport again in a big way. I have been an F1 fan since I was a kid ; and something about that world always pulls me in ; the discipline of laps ; the fine margins ; the way time can feel both fast and frozen.

In my mum’s last days there was a strange parallel with that world ; repeating circuits ; the sense of watching a finish line approach while still willing everything forward. The synergy felt real.

I built this in a few stems ; playing some parts together first ; then layering in vocals and piano afterwards. The main piano is a baby grand ; with the Yamaha P-225 used for the bass.

Electronic rhythm with a singer songwriter edge ; a little cinematic ; for late night headphones.

Made with TR-8S ; Yamaha P-225 ; Arturia MiniFreak ; baby grand

Rita Road Studios ; London

This Race Is Run

An intimate piano and vocal cover of Green Eyes by Coldplay.

I kept it slow and gentle ; breathy vocals ; soft dynamics ; and a few held notes that let the lyric sit in the air. Recorded live in one take in London as part of the Rita Road Sessions ; keeping it simple ; close ; and human.

If you are searching for Coldplay covers ; Green Eyes cover ; piano vocal covers ; acoustic covers ; or stripped back sessions ; I hope this feels soothing and still.

Rita Road Sessions
Music from the heart of London.

Green Eyes - Coldplay (Cover) (Live)

Facades

Jesobel

I am No one

#SummerBody

BoxRox

Stuck In Traffic Alternate Version

I Feel The Same

How They Communicate

Stuck In Traffic Instrumental

How Hard I Try

#DBMHA

Stuck In Traffic HN Mix

A stripped back acoustic cover of Nick Mulvey’s Wake Up Now; recorded live in one take with guitar and voice

I have always loved the way Nick blends rhythm; melody and lyrics; this is my little homage to that spirit; late night and intimate

Listen with good headphones if you can and let me know what you feel

Original song by Nick Mulvey

#nickmulvey #wakeupnow #wakeupnowcover #pianocover #acousticpiano #solopiano #singersongwriter #indiefolk #intimate #spiritual #spiritualawakening #consciousmusic #mindful #meditative #innerjourney #healingmusic #heartopening #olliray #london

Wake Up Now – Nick Mulvey (Acoustic Cover by olliray)

A live piano cover of Big Thief’s How Could I Have Known; recorded at home in one take; close and unpolished

I love how this song moves from that first meeting by the river to standing alone by the Eiffel Tower; holding a love that feels timeless even as it ends. It feels like watching a whole relationship in a few moments of memory; part heartbreak; part spiritual wake up

This is my late night version; intimate; reflective and a bit raw

Original song by Big Thief

#bigthief #howcouldihaveknown #bigthiefcover #howcouldihaveknowncover #pianocover #acousticpiano #solopiano #indiefolk #singersongwriter #heartbreak #spiritual #spiritualawakening #paris #eiffeltower #intimate #vibey #latenight #olliray #london


How Could I Have Known – Big Thief (Acoustic Cover by olliray)

An intimate acoustic cover of Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish
Recorded live on my baby grand with a soft late night feel

If you enjoy this version there is also a stripped back take with lighter piano available here
https://soundcloud.com/olliray/birds-of-a-feather-stripped-back-version-by-billie-eilish

Tags: billie eilish ; birds of a feather ; billie eilish cover ; birds of a feather cover ; acoustic cover ; piano cover ; stripped version ; minimal piano ; vocal cover ; piano vocal ; olliray ; singer songwriter ; emotional ; intimate ; soft vocals ; raw ; mellow ; chill ; london music ; cover 2025 ; live session ; studio session ; alternative pop ; indie pop cover

Listen to more of my music and collaborations here
https://on.soundcloud.com/8c5UO64MEz22HWpIlM

Birds of a Feather – Billie Eilish (Acoustic Cover by olliray)

A stripped back take of my cover of Birds of a Feather
Lighter piano with more space around the vocal
Recorded live with a soft late night feel

Tags: billie eilish ; birds of a feather ; stripped version ; minimal piano ; piano vocal ; vocal cover ; acoustic cover ; olliray ; singer songwriter ; emotional ; intimate ; soft vocals ; raw ; mellow ; chill ; london music ; cover 2025 ; live session ; studio session

Birds of a Feather - Billie Eilish; Stripped Back Version by olliray

An intimate acoustic cover of Nice To Each Other by Olivia Dean
This is my favourite song on the album, so I wanted to create a stripped back, singer-songwriter style version with just voice and piano
Recorded live on my baby grand in a soft late-night session, keeping the performance raw, honest and emotional
If you’re searching for Olivia Dean covers, acoustic covers, piano vocal covers or stripped back sessions, I hope this version brings you that warm, gentle feel the original inspires

Listen to more of my music and collaborations here
https://on.soundcloud.com/8c5UO64MEz22HWpIlM

Tags:
olivia dean ; nice to each other ; nice to each other cover ; olivia dean cover ; acoustic cover ; piano cover ; stripped back ; acoustic session ; singer songwriter ; olliray ; london music ; emotional ; intimate ; soft vocals ; mellow ; chill ; piano vocal ; cover 2025 ; rita road sessions ; acoustic pop ; soulful acoustic ; late night session ; live piano cover


Nice To Each Other – Olivia Dean (Acoustic Cover by olliray)

An intimate acoustic cover of All I Need by Radiohead
I recorded this live on my baby grand, keeping it soft, raw and atmospheric to match the emotion and tension of the original
It’s a stripped back version with gentle vocals and a late-night piano feel, letting the song breathe in a quieter space
If you’re searching for Radiohead covers, acoustic versions, piano vocal covers or stripped back sessions, I hope this captures the mood you love in All I Need

Listen to more of my music and collaborations here
https://on.soundcloud.com/8c5UO64MEz22HWpIlM

All I Need – Radiohead (Acoustic Cover by olliray)

An intimate acoustic cover of The Scientist by Coldplay. I wanted to strip this song back and let the lyrics sit right at the front; just voice and piano in a live, one take style performance.

The artwork shows a scientist in his lab at night; wearing RayBats as he studies a heart glowing under glass with the full moon behind him. It is a small nod to the song’s pull between logic and feeling; science and the heart; and the way music cuts through all the questions.

Recorded late at night on my baby grand as part of the Rita Road Sessions in London; keeping the dynamics soft; natural and emotional. I tried to stay close to the heart of the original while still letting my own phrasing and timing come through.

If you are searching for Coldplay covers; The Scientist cover; acoustic piano versions or stripped back singer songwriter sessions; I hope this gives you a fresh but familiar take on a modern classic.

Listen to more of my music and collaborations here:
https://on.soundcloud.com/8c5UO64MEz22HWpIlM

Learn more about RayBats here:
https://www.raybats.com/

Rita Road Sessions
Music from the heart of London.

The Scientist – Coldplay (Acoustic Cover by olliray)

An intimate piano and vocal cover of Music by Men by Florence + The Machine. I recorded this live in one take; just wanting to share my version of one of my favourite songs on the new album.

I kept it very soft all the way through; slower than the original; with a few natural stops and pauses so it feels more like a quiet conversation than a big performance. The chords and melody stay quite close to Florence’s version; but some lines fall almost into spoken word and of course it sits in a male voice instead.

The artwork shows me at the piano wearing RayBats; my experimental listening device; a small nod to the way I am always mixing music with sound research.

Recorded in London as part of the Rita Road Sessions; sitting with the reflective and heartbroken side of the song.

Listen to more of my music and collaborations here:
https://on.soundcloud.com/8c5UO64MEz22HWpIlM

Learn more about RayBats here:
https://www.raybats.com/

Rita Road Sessions
Music from the heart of London.

Music by Men – Florence + The Machine (Acoustic Cover by olliray)

An intimate, stripped back piano and vocal cover of Shake Off The Rain by The Paper Kites.

This is an early attempt at the song on piano; but I really liked the atmosphere that came out of it so I decided to share it. The whole thing is recorded live in one take; just voice and piano; so there are small imperfections here and there but it keeps that feeling of a first sketch captured in the moment rather than a polished studio version.

I play it slightly slower than the original with a few pauses and stops; letting some lines hang in the air and placing a bit more emphasis on different parts of the vocal phrasing. The idea was to make it feel like quietly singing to one person in a small room; keeping everything soft and close while the harmony stays fairly true to the original.

Recorded in London on a baby grand as part of the Rita Road Sessions. No heavy production; just a warm room sound; a relaxed vocal and the sense of watching the rain outside the window. If you like indie folk; rainy day songs and minimal piano vocal covers; I hope this version keeps you company for a while.

Listen to more of my music and collaborations here:
https://on.soundcloud.com/8c5UO64MEz22HWpIlM

Rita Road Sessions
Music from the heart of London.

Keywords: Shake Off The Rain cover; The Paper Kites piano cover; indie folk acoustic; stripped back piano vocal; rainy day song.

Shake Off The Rain – The Paper Kites (Stripped Back Piano Vocal Cover by olliray)

An intimate almost-a-cappella cover of The Scientist by Coldplay.
I recorded this live in one take; mostly just voice with a very minimal backing; keeping it raw and close up so it feels more like someone singing right next to you than a big studio version.

It is a little slower and softer than the original; with space left between phrases so the lyrics can really land. If you are looking for The Scientist covers; a cappella versions; stripped back Coldplay covers or vocal-led arrangements; I hope this one gives you that quiet; late-night feeling.

Recorded in London as part of the Rita Road Sessions.

Listen to more of my music and collaborations here:
https://on.soundcloud.com/8c5UO64MEz22HWpIlM

Rita Road Sessions
Music from the heart of London.

The Scientist – Coldplay (A cappella-ish Cover by olliray) (Live)

An intimate piano and vocal cover of Afterglow by Ed Sheeran. I recorded this live in one take; just wanting to sit with the honesty and simplicity of the song. I really like this song; it came out just before Christmas in the Covid years, during a poignant time for me when things were difficult with my parents; so it has become a song about perseverance and holding on through hard times.

This version stays close to the original chords and melody; but it is a little slower and more spacious; with soft dynamics and a few natural pauses so the lyrics can breathe. It sits in a male vocal register and keeps that late night; reflective; slightly wintery feel all the way through.

Recorded in London as part of the Rita Road Sessions; a series of live one take performances on a baby grand.

Listen to more of my music and collaborations here:
https://on.soundcloud.com/8c5UO64MEz22HWpIlM

Rita Road Sessions
Music from the heart of London.

Afterglow (Ed Sheeran Piano Vocal Cover by olliray) (Live)

An intimate live piano and vocal cover of my song #SummerBody.
I wrote this one years ago about falling in love in Mexico; where it feels like summer all year; hot nights; warm sea air and that slightly surreal holiday bubble where everything moves in slow motion.

This version is softer and more stripped back; recorded in one take; with a slightly slower tempo and a few natural pauses so the lyrics can breathe. If you are searching for summer love songs; Mexico inspired stories; stripped back covers; piano vocal sessions or gentle singer songwriter tracks; I hope this gives you that feeling of an endless evening on the beach.

Recorded live in London as part of the Rita Road Sessions on my baby grand.

Listen to more of my music and collaborations here:
https://on.soundcloud.com/8c5UO64MEz22HWpIlM

Rita Road Sessions
Music from the heart of London.

Tags

olliray ; summerbody ; #summerbody ; summer body ; summer song ; summer love ; mexico ; mexico love story ; beach ; ocean breeze ; cactus ; sunset beach ; summer all year ; endless summer ; weak in my knees ; holiday romance ; acoustic ; piano ; piano vocal ; live ; live cover ; live session ; stripped back ; mellow ; chill ; singer songwriter ; london music ; rita road sessions ; cover 2025





#SummerBody (Acoustic Piano Vocal Version by olliray) (Live)

An intimate piano and vocal cover of Co-op by Bess Atwell. Recorded live in one take on a baby grand in London ; keeping it soft ; close ; and honest ; with a few natural pauses so the lyrics can breathe.

I have loved this song for a while. I used to be working over on Portland Road ; and back then I would keep popping into the Tesco nearby ; I did not even know about the Co-op at the time. I definitely prefer a Co-op and wish I had been going there instead ; but Tesco still had that thing where they were always playing music ; so the place is tied to songs and little moments for me.

It also takes me back to being younger in house shares ; finding bits of furniture left out on the street ; carrying them home ; and redoing the place with whatever we could make work.

I stayed close to the core mood of the original ; but brought it into a quieter ; late night Rita Road Sessions feel ; just voice ; piano ; and a gentle sense of space.

If you are searching for Bess Atwell covers ; Co-op cover ; piano vocal covers ; acoustic covers ; or stripped back sessions ; I hope this gives you something calm to sit with.

Listen to more of my music and collaborations here:
https://on.soundcloud.com/8c5UO64MEz22HWpIlM

Rita Road Sessions
Music from the heart of London.

Co-op ; Bess Atwell (Acoustic Cover by olliray) (Live)

An intimate piano and vocal cover of Co-op by Bess Atwell ; recorded live in one take on a baby grand in London ; keeping it soft ; close ; and honest ; with a few natural pauses so the lyrics can breathe.

This Alt Mix keeps the same performance ; but adds one gentle synth line over the top of the piano ; just to widen the atmosphere a touch.

I have loved this song for a while. I used to be working over on Portland Road ; and back then I would keep popping into the Tesco nearby ; I did not even know about the Co-op at the time. I definitely prefer a Co-op and wish I had been going there instead ; but Tesco still had that thing where they were always playing music ; so the place is tied to songs and little moments for me.

It also takes me back to being younger in house shares ; finding bits of furniture left out on the street ; carrying them home ; and redoing the place with whatever we could make work.

If you are searching for Bess Atwell covers ; Co-op cover ; piano vocal covers ; acoustic covers ; or stripped back sessions ; I hope this gives you something calm to sit with.

Listen to more of my music and collaborations here:
https://on.soundcloud.com/8c5UO64MEz22HWpIlM

Rita Road Sessions
Music from the heart of London.

Co-op ; Bess Atwell (Acoustic Cover by olliray) (Alt Mix) (Live)

An intimate one take cover of Famous Blue Raincoat by Leonard Cohen ; recorded live on piano and voice as part of the Rita Road Sessions in London.

I kept it simple and close ; letting the lyrics carry the weight ; with a slower pace and a few natural pauses so the words can breathe. Something about “New York City” in the lyric just hits ; it sets the whole scene.

Leonard Cohen was also some of the first music I ever remember hearing ; playing in my dad’s car when I was a kid ; so this one feels personal to come back to.

Rita Road Sessions
Music from the heart of London.

Tags
leonard cohen ; famous blue raincoat ; piano cover ; cover ; live ; one take ; intimate ; mellow ; reflective ; melancholic ; soothing ; singer songwriter ; folk ; ballad ; london ; rita road sessions ; male vocal ; new york city

Famous Blue Raincoat ; Leonard Cohen (Piano Cover by olliray) (Live)

A slow ; intimate cover of Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses by U2.

When this first came out I had it on repeat. Revisiting it now it hits differently ; sadder ; more melancholic ; and deeper ; the kind of song that can stop you in your tracks.

This is a live one take performance ; no layering ; no overdubs ; no fixing after. I am playing the keys and singing at the same time ; electric piano for the low pulse ; with a soft arpeggiated synth sitting in the background to keep it moving.

Recorded in London as part of the Rita Road Sessions ; leaving in the tiny imperfections so it stays human.

If you are searching for U2 covers ; Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses cover ; piano vocal covers ; live one take performances ; or late night sessions ; I hope this feels soothing and still.

Rita Road Sessions
Music from the heart of London.

Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses – U2 (Acoustic Cover) (Live)

An upbeat one take piano and vocal cover of The Hardest Part by Coldplay. This is an early take ; recorded live with no overdubs ; just experimenting with a brighter lift and a bit more forward energy than the original.

It is not a polished studio version ; but I loved the feel enough to share it ; and I am curious how it lands for you.

Recorded in London as part of the Rita Road Sessions.
Music from the heart of London.

The Hardest Part (Coldplay cover) ; Upbeat piano take ; one take

olliray makes emotive, cinematic music that sits between intimate piano ballads and modern electronic soundscapes. A singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from London, he blends live piano and guitar with textured production to create songs that feel close and expansive at the same time.

Alongside his original work, he records stripped-back piano and guitar covers of songs he loves. These late-night performances sit naturally beside his own writing, shaped by the same focus on atmosphere, storytelling and emotional detail.

He had a short spell of violin lessons when he was younger; everything else on piano, guitar and production is self-taught. That instinctive path runs through his music; he writes, plays and shapes his songs by ear, chasing what feels honest rather than what follows the rulebook.

His debut single BoxRox and first album Stuck in Traffic captured a raw, lyric-driven phase where he produced and sang everything himself. Between followed, pushing further into experimental electronic textures. He then released Piano for Yoga, a live, meditative piano recording created in a single continuous flow for a yoga video soundtrack.

In 2024 he returned to his roots with Lost Romance, an album built from songs written 18 years earlier and revisited with a more reflective, nostalgic perspective. It moves between gentle piano pieces and fuller arrangements, tying his early ideas to the sound he has grown into now.

He is currently working on new music that continues to blur the lines between acoustic songwriting and electronic production, always searching for the balance between warmth, space and emotional weight.

For a first listen, start with Stuck in Traffic or How Long if you want reflective, cinematic songwriting, then explore the Covers Playlist to hear his take on songs by artists he loves. Fans of Bon Iver, Ben Howard, Nick Mulvey, Coldplay and M83 may feel at home in his world.

Explore the Covers playlist, then dive into the Originals.

You can also find my music on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube through the profile links below.

olliray • piano • covers • originals

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