Ny Oh has just unveiled her beautiful debut album, WILDWOOD, and it’s nothing short of a revelation. The 12-track journey is an exploration of self-love, growth, and the quiet power of surrender, all wrapped in Ny Oh’s genre-blending style. It’s a record that feels both comforting and adventurous, like finding a new home in the music you never knew you needed.
With WILDWOOD, Ny Oh, born in the UK, raised in Aotearoa, and now based in LA, steps fully into her own. The album was written during a time of transition, while Ny Oh was still on the road with Harry Styles during his Love On Tour. A lot of the songs were crafted while visiting home in New Zealand and during her recovery after three years of touring. The result is a collection of songs that reflect moments of deep personal reflection, capturing the highs and lows of being on the road, but also moments of stillness, and ultimately, reclaiming control.
The album was recorded in just six days in Topanga Canyon, LA, with producer Jonathan Wilson (Father John Misty, Angel Olsen, Conor Oberst). True to Ny Oh’s ethos, the recording process was all about embracing the present. “It’s a snapshot into a special moment in time,” Ny Oh explains. “Think of it as an analogue photograph. I just surrendered to the moment, and you can hear that in the performances.” The result is a record that’s raw, honest, and incredibly intimate, recorded with minimal overdubs to keep the spirit of those live sessions alive.
Among the standout tracks is “Conduit”, the high-energy psychedelic folk single, which perfectly encapsulates Ny Oh’s creative spirit. The track, she explains, is about “thinking you’re in control and remembering you are definitely not.” It’s a song that moves and changes, encouraging listeners to let their minds wander, surrendering to the music without trying to control it. “For me, it reminds me to throw away my ego and let things be,” Ny Oh says. And that feeling of freedom and release echoes throughout the album.
The album also features beautiful tracks like “Time” and “Marie”. “Time” is a reflective piece, written while Ny Oh was still on the road, grappling with her sense of identity. “Marie” was written for her grandmother’s 90th birthday, a deeply emotional tribute that often leaves Ny Oh in tears whenever she performs it. It’s that kind of album: full of raw emotion, yet laced with hope and resilience.
Having spent years touring and recording with some of the biggest names in music, including Harry Styles and Margo Price, Ny Oh’s debut is a true testament to her own artistry and vision. WILDWOOD is a deeply personal invitation into her world, one shaped by a profound connection to nature and the healing power of music.
Ny Oh is currently on tour, including a run of dates with Margo Price, and will be performing in LA tonight at Archival. Her UK fans can catch her live on November 21st at Folklore in London, before she heads back to Aotearoa for the Festival of Lights in New Plymouth on January 4th.
WILDWOOD is now available digitally, and fans can grab it on vinyl and cassette too. Don’t miss out on experiencing one of the most exciting new voices in music.
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