Ouida’s Comeback: Defying Setbacks with the Release of ‘Fresh Air’

Imagine yourself on a sun-kissed beach, toes buried in the warm sand, with the gentle breeze carrying melodies that speak to your soul—that’s the essence of “Fresh Air” the latest single release by Virgin Islands Songstress Ouida Nisbett-Turnbull. It’s not just another song but a testament to resilience, renewal and the pursuit of passion.

Ouida’s collaboration with 2x Grammy-nominated producer Drew “Druski” Scott has birthed a stripped ballad that resonates with a raw authenticity.

When asked about the inspiration behind “Fresh Air,” she candidly shared that it stemmed from a period of change and introspection in her life. “It was written around a time when I was making some changes in my life,” she explained, “So he [Scott] honed in on the discussions and brought it to life, through this song.”

The decision to release “Fresh Air” marks a significant milestone for Ouida, who had taken a hiatus from music due to various setbacks and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “After a series of setbacks, the COVID situation and the lockdowns taking center stage, it was difficult to do the usual music videos, singing, and entertainment as I liked,” she shared. However, driven by her unwavering passion for music and spurred on by the encouragement of her fans, Ouida resolved to make a comeback.

With meticulous attention to detail, Ouida crafted “Fresh Air” to stand out sonically and lyrically from her previous works. Emphasising vocals and keyboard melodies, the song offers a clean and refreshing perspective, echoing its title. Lyrically, it speaks to universal themes of renewal in new beginnings. “The song talks about ‘suffocating until I met you…till you flew in like…oh oh…breath of fresh air’,” Ouida elaborated, “It’s a story of being in a position where you feel like you’re stifled…then you experience a new situation, someone new comes into your life…that becomes that breath of fresh air.”

For Ouida, “Fresh Air” embodies not only a musical evolution but also a personal growth journey. Reflecting on her creative process, she shared, “Since my last release, I keep striving to maximise my talents…creatively, I immerse myself more into the outcome, the overall sound, the videos, etc.” Despite facing challenges during production, Ouida approached them with a mindset of growth and perseverance, viewing each obstacle as an opportunity to refine her skills.

With the release of “Fresh Air,” Ouida aims to inspire listeners to embrace change and seek out moments of renewal in their own lives. “The message for the song…find that breath of ‘Fresh Air’,” she emphasised, “No matter what, you can pull yourself up and out…of any suffocating situation.”

Looking ahead, Nisbett teased that “Fresh Air” is just the beginning of her musical journey in 2024. “This year I will be releasing more singles/music, so stay tuned,” she revealed, hinting at a wave of new releases that promise to captivate audiences with their authenticity and soulful resonance.