New York-based singer-songwriter Olivia Bragoli is taking a leap forward in her evolving career. Her new single, “This Time,” has shot up the iTunes POP chart to #5, while also grabbing the #11 spot among overall songs. Adding to the momentum, the accompanying music video is closing in on 200,000 views, signaling a standout moment for the 22-year-old artist.
Bragoli, who has been honing her vocal craft for more than 15 years, channels a refreshing blend of modern pop and early-2000s R&B. Currently a senior at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, she attributes her style to influences like Kehlani, Ariana Grande, and Sabrina Carpenter. With seven years of professional experience, Bragoli is no newcomer: she first turned heads as a teenager, posting viral covers on Instagram and YouTube that helped her accumulate nearly 60k loyal followers.
“This Time” builds on her knack for melding melodic hooks with relatable storytelling. The track centers around the nerve-wracking realization that a friendship may be tipping into romance. Lines like “Is it your confidence? Is it your compliments?” and “I’ve been wondering if you’ve changed the way that I changed” capture that thrilling tightrope walk between longing and uncertainty. Meanwhile, the tongue-in-cheek nod to “tattoos and tequila” suggests an undercurrent of playful chemistry that makes the single hard to resist.
Directed by Tom Flynn and filmed at a scenic nature preserve on Long Island, the visual for “This Time” underscores Bragoli’s evolution as both a performer and storyteller. Warm, sunlit shots contrast with scenes of a vintage Ford Bronco, lending the video an air of nostalgic wanderlust. It all adds up to a narrative that sees two friends grappling with the possibility of taking their bond to the next level—a situation that Bragoli explores with an openness that feels both cinematic and personal.
Her dedication to music began early: Bragoli recorded her first studio session at 14, at a time when most teenagers are still finding their footing. Her cover series, which landed her features on platforms like Cover Nation, paved the way for a distinctive sound that merges sultry R&B sensibilities with pop’s glossy finish. High school was a whirlwind of classes and creative output, culminating in a deeper, bolder style by the time she entered her college years.
While she’s performed extensively across Long Island and partnered with various brands, Bragoli insists her main goal is forging a heartfelt connection through song. “This Time” exemplifies her willingness to bring emotion front and center: “I don’t wanna say too much if you don’t feel the same,” she sings, bringing listeners straight into that quiet, hopeful moment of deciding whether to speak up—or to stay silent.
With a strong fan base in place and a single that shows no sign of slowing down, Olivia Bragoli seems poised for even bigger moves ahead. Dive into her growing catalog on Spotify, and follow her journey on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
