Olivia Millin’s debut album, Start Again, feels like a declaration of artistic rebirth. Released on February 28, 2025, the album captures a defining moment in Millin’s life and career, as the 20-year-old J-Pop sensation expands her sound beyond the confines of her early success. Known for hits like “Broken Piece of Joy” and “TTYL,” Millin takes a bold step forward on Start Again, blending vibrant J-Pop melodies with introspective lyricism and Western pop sensibilities. The result is an album that, while filled with exuberance, is also deeply reflective, exploring themes of resilience, personal growth, and reclaiming one’s narrative after hardship.
Millin’s ability to seamlessly weave together Japanese and American influences continues to be a central feature of her music. Yet, on Start Again, her creative palette feels broader, enriched by a more nuanced approach to both musical composition and storytelling. At its core, Start Again is about transformation and the strength that emerges from vulnerability. It’s an album that embraces new beginnings, not as a mere theme but as a powerful act of self-empowerment.
The opening track, “Be With Me,” sets the tone for what’s to come—a mix of wistful longing and unyielding hope. The song features delicate instrumental layers that gradually build into an expansive, energetic chorus. Millin’s voice, tender yet commanding, conveys a sense of vulnerability, as she sings about emotional connection in the face of distance. It’s a familiar pop narrative, but Millin’s ability to balance light and dark sets her apart, ensuring that even the most familiar emotions feel uniquely her own.
However, the true heartbeat of Start Again lies in its more experimental moments. The track “Enter/Exit” combines elements of K-Pop and J-Pop with a touch of angst, as Millin navigates the emotional confusion of a friendship slipping away. The lyrics are a striking mix of English and Japanese, where Millin sings in both languages with equal fluency, weaving her cultural duality into the song’s emotional fabric. The pre-chorus, where Millin sings “I want to meet up with you, but all I see are exit signs,” delivers the kind of introspection that pushes the listener to reflect on their own relationships, creating an intimacy that transcends language.
“Start Again (Japanese)” is another standout track, offering a glimpse into Millin’s ability to channel her personal experiences into something deeply universal. The song’s infectious rhythm and optimistic beat contrast with its more somber lyrical content, which reflects on overcoming past trauma and forging a path forward. The juxtaposition of light and darkness in this track creates an emotional push-pull, exemplifying Millin’s command over her craft. When the chorus hits, with its anthemic chant of “Let’s start the party, only for the broken-hearted,” it feels like a rallying cry for those who have weathered life’s storms.
The album’s most vulnerable moment comes in “Don’t Wanna Go.” Here, Millin lets her voice take center stage, carrying the weight of the song’s plea for reconciliation. The track’s simple, yet poignant arrangement allows her voice to soar, evoking the complex emotions tied to love, regret, and the desire to hold on. The song’s lyrics, which seamlessly blend English and Japanese, highlight Millin’s bilingual storytelling ability, with the repeated refrain “I know you don’t wanna go” reverberating with a sense of both hope and desperation.
Perhaps the most compelling feature of Start Again is Millin’s ability to merge cultural influences with personal introspection. “The Flood” is a shining example of this, as it fuses modern pop with traditional Japanese instrumentation, creating a track that feels both timeless and innovative. The combination of Millin’s breathy vocals and the instrumental tension throughout the song creates an air of urgency, symbolizing the emotional turmoil that comes with confronting the past. The song builds to a cathartic release, both sonically and emotionally, serving as a powerful testament to Millin’s songwriting prowess.
Album closer “Jinx,” a bonus track, takes on a more playful tone, as Millin embraces a cheekier side to her persona. It’s a fun, upbeat track that contrasts with the more contemplative moments that dominate the album, showing off Millin’s versatility and her ability to shift between moods effortlessly.
While Start Again is undoubtedly a pop album, it’s an album with depth. It’s a blend of infectious hooks, emotionally rich lyrics, and intricate production. The album doesn’t just celebrate personal reinvention; it offers an invitation to the listener to embrace change with the same fearless optimism Millin embodies in every note. What’s most striking is how, despite the album’s moments of self-doubt and reflection, it never feels defeated. Instead, it is always striving, always pushing forward.
Olivia Millin has carved out a space for herself within the J-Pop genre with Start Again, and with it, she has crafted an album that’s not just a declaration of personal growth, but an anthem for anyone who has ever faced adversity and come out stronger on the other side.
–John Parker