The second album from Irish based electronic artist OLIVE HATAKE, BOYS NEED LOVE is a snapshot of the musician’s personal and creative lives. His experiences over the two years since his debut (“one of the underrated Irish albums of 2022”, Nialler9) have included the fluidity of relationships, being invited to Berlin for the annual Superbooth producer’s conference, rediscovering his faith, the importance of family, loss, documenting the conflict of masculinity and representing his country at the Jiu-Jitsu European championships in Paris. The results are an album that combines euphoric dance music with the range of human emotion to mesmerising effect.
That musical element is also inspired by a world of influences - artists such as EDEN and Nala Sinephro, the wider creative and artistic community that he has immersed himself in, the effect that playing live has on his studio work and his Angolan family roots. The current Irish scene too has had an impact, with the record featuring creative input from Jafaris, alt rnb singer Ollie Fay, visual artist Sean Atmos and photographer Frenchie Stardust and long term collaborator Tony Konstone from Harsequead, as well as an EDEN sample on the beautiful ‘NYA SAGE INTERLUDE’. Supported by influential playlists such as Fresh Finds UK & IE, The Loft and Irish Dance, BOYS NEED LOVE was followed by an extended version in December - the single from which ‘THESE FEELS AGAIN’ enjoyed a major boost early in 2025 thanks to prominent positioning on the Fresh Finds and Fresh Finds Indie playlists.
OLIVE HATAKE’s live show has been acclaimed and he has performed at Other Voices, Output Belfast, Whelan’s Ones To watch and as special guests to Jersey on Dublin. He will release new music in 2025.
"Euphoric electronic production with a soulful heart that could sit beside Fred Again.. on a playlist. The difference is Olive’s music is more reflective and inward-looking...." (Nialler9)
