Rising British actor/musician Oli Higginson drops “PEOPLE PLEASER,” a bold, genre-bending new single under his Modern Oli project, out Friday, May 8.
“PEOPLE PLEASER is a summer anthem of self-destruction.”
MODERN OLI ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE “PEOPLE PLEASER” OUT FRIDAY, MAY 8
“Groovy, singalong-ready, and euphoric whilst subtly revealing Oli’s nauseating addiction of seeking approval at the expense of personal identity and happiness. Channeling his inner David Byrne, Bowie, and Bo Burnham, Oli creates the identity of ‘The People Pleaser’ complete with a series of spontaneous videos shot on Hollywood Blvd. and a live hotline for fans to ring at their leisure, taking listeners deeper into the world of the song”.
Rising British actor and musician Oli Higginson returns with his latest release under his music project Modern Oli, unveiling the bold and genre-bending new single “PEOPLE PLEASER”, out Friday, May 8.
Written in Higginson’s East London flat and built from instinctive, lo-fi demos recorded straight into his laptop, the song evolved through collaborations with recording engineer Felipe Guttierez and producer Louis Souyave. Contributions from guitarist Will Sensicle and the addition of experimental elements — including lap steel, chromatic melodic twists, drum loops, and a self-performed choral chant — give the track its distinctive, restless energy. Geraint Downing’s live cello adds an organic bedding to something altogether otherworldly as we are thrown into the song’s pseudo-religious undertones and self-aware, tongue-in-cheek energy.
“PEOPLE PLEASER” explores the addictive cycle of seeking approval at the expense of personal identity — a theme that resonates deeply with Millennial and Gen Z audiences navigating modern pressures. Inspired by Higginson’s own experiences and influenced by boundary-pushing artists Bo Burnham, Jarvis Cocker, and David Byrne, the track breaks from typical pop themes to examine a universal psychological struggle. Equal parts infectious and disorienting, the song captures the push-and-pull of autonomy and conformity in a hyperconnected modern world.
“This was one of the first songs I’ve written that isn’t about love or relationships,” Higginson explains. “It’s about that strange, sometimes funny, sometimes dangerous tendency to lose yourself in trying to be what everyone else wants.”
The accompanying music video leans fully into the track’s surreal tone, featuring Higginson transforming into an exaggerated alter ego — “The People Pleaser.” Shot on Hollywood Boulevard, the video follows this character interacting with strangers, blurring the line between performance and reality. Complete with an absurdly long vintage wig and spontaneous public encounters — including a stop inside a Dunkin’ Donuts — the visual highlights the disorienting and almost possessive nature of people-pleasing.
Extending the concept beyond the music, Modern Oli has also launched a “PEOPLE PLEASER Hotline,” inviting fans to leave voicemail “requests” for the alter ego to respond to — further immersing listeners in the project’s playful yet thought-provoking world. The line is still live and you can ring it on: +(201) 409-1823.
In just a few months, Higginson has amassed hundreds of thousands of streams, earned multiple plays on BBC Radio 1 — including Mollie King’s Future Pop Show — and built a rapidly growing global fanbase across TikTok, Instagram, and Spotify. His previous releases have generated millions of views on social media, while live performances — including sold-out headline shows in London — have cemented his reputation as a compelling new voice in pop.
His upcoming New York City headline show at Pianos sold out in pre-sale in under 24 hours, underscoring growing demand in the US market. He will also appear live on an upcoming New York breakfast show, marking a major milestone as he continues to break into the American mainstream.
Higginson’s rising profile is further amplified by his success as an actor, where he has captured global attention as a fan-favourite in Bridgerton. As audiences on both sides of the Atlantic discover his musical work, Modern Oli is quickly emerging as a multi-dimensional artist to watch.
Following the release, Modern Oli will take the project live with a run of international shows, including his debut US performances and first mainland European dates:
- May 9 – Page & Screen, New Jersey
- May 10 – Permanent Records Roadhouse, Los Angeles (SOLD OUT)
- May 15 – Pianos, New York (SOLD OUT)
- June 8 & 9– Wonder Hotel, Budapest
- August 15 – Solid Ground Festival, Wakefield, UK
- September 18 – OSLO Hackney, London
- October 1 – Supersonic Records, Paris
Blending sharp lyrical insight with experimental pop production, “PEOPLE PLEASER” continues to position Modern Oli as a distinctive new voice — one unafraid to challenge expectations while inviting listeners to laugh, reflect, and maybe even recognise themselves along the way.
“PEOPLE PLEASER” is out everywhere Friday, May 8.
