ARTEMIS – the ‘creative outlet’ of Manchester-based musician Josh Oliva – has debuted a brand-new single ‘Retenir La Rivière’ (also referred to as ‘Hold Back the River’), an independent release, available for digital purchase and streaming now. Hitting platforms February 21, the track marks Oliva’s first release of 2025, last putting out music late last year with the single ‘Black and Blue’.
‘Retenir La Rivière’, described as a burst of suppressed energy, opens up on a soft guitar strum, followed by maturing instrumental layers that blend elegantly under Oliva’s sweetly haunting vocals, creating a sound distinctive to ARTEMIS. In a newsletter about the song (created by Oliva himself), it explains how at its core, it explores the frustrating elements of relationships and how we can often be left in a state of confusion. Experimentalist in its approach, the single boasts a structure unfamiliar in contemporary music, crafting a sonically interesting experience. ‘Retenir La Rivière’ is also a nod to Oliva’s Spanish heritage: his emotive lyrics developing into Spanish in the poetic track’s coda – the first time the artist has creatively moved away from solely English lyricism.
Taking to Instagram in a multi-part self-interview format, Oliva delved into the creative process behind ‘Retenir La Rivière’, citing his biggest inspirations as Florence + The Machine and The National. Mentioning specific influential genres, of which feature heavily in his eclectic music output, the Suffolk-native musician explained, “I also love eighties, seventies, funk and alternative rock. I love writing lyrics that read like a poem and are left open to the listeners interpretation, but also sometimes they capture a feeling, an emotion, or a moment of my own.”
Entering Manchester’s lively music scene in 2021, ARTEMIS represents a music project of many years in the making. Josh Oliva’s emerging artistry contributes to a much larger story at play: the impressive effort that is required to thrive as an independent creative in the UK’s ever-evolving industry. Releasing studio recordings that demonstrate his soft alternative sound such as ‘The Waves’ (2024) and ‘Letdown’ (2023), the multi-instrumentalist has continued to hone his craft through live performances across the ‘rainy city’. A BIMM graduate, among many things, Oliva has placed himself in good stead to join the ranks of the UK’s freshest faces in modern music (Pale Waves, The Hara, Abbie Ozard alike). With six single releases to date, ARTEMIS has received wildly positive reviews from critics, becoming ‘a name to watch’ in the local Manchester scene.
Although no announced upcoming live shows as of yet, ARTEMIS is set to keep releasing music in 2025, with the next single expected to reach listeners this April.
For more artist information, visit ARTEMIS’ official website.
