ONR

The Scottish songwriter and producer ONR (pronounced like honor) has returned with the powerful single “Must Stop.” Out now via Warner Records, it features Sarah Barthel of Phantogram. For the artist born Robert Shields, this pristine track is a culmination of his work over the last few years as ONR. It’s lovesick and yearning, built around a simple but anthemic and relatable chorus. As the arrangement swells, he sings repeatedly, “I must stop falling in love.” Both Robert and Sarah are featured in the stunning 90’s-inspired music video, which is also out now. ONR is currently preparing for the launch of his full-length debut album in early 2021.

Barthel agreed to collaborate when she heard “Must Stop” in part because that aching feeling is familiar to so many. In the midst of a breakup, the song became a lifeline for her. “I think it was the universe telling me I have to express my feelings instead of bottling them up,” she says. “From then on ‘Must Stop’ has been my mantra.”

 “‘Must Stop’ is a song about being repeatedly hurt,” Shields says. “About a lack of self-worth, a desperation to be in love and to be loved by someone, anyone — and the blows you can take when you leave yourself so open.”

ONR is the singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and self-taught producer born Robert Shields, who was raised in rural isolation on a sheep farm in the Scottish Highlands. Inspired—and also bored—while at his family’s farmhouse on cliffs overlooking the North Sea, Shields began writing and performing his own songs around 12 or 13, teaching himself piano on a battered instrument missing half its keys that he uncovered in the family shed. While still at school, he had his first break: He won a songwriting competition, judged by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and was later offered a place at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, founded by Sir Paul McCartney, which he declined.

With such an isolated childhood, his songwriting was his form of escapism, a craft he was intent on perfecting first and foremost. His hard work caught the attention of a manager who flew him to L.A.—his first time out of Scotland ever—culminating in a label war, yet he understood the heat of success and still didn’t feel quite ready, both mentally and musically, and turned all of it down. He continued to hone his skills by fine-tuning his songwriting and perfecting his live show, performing hundreds of gigs across Europe, and eventually touring with acts like Bastille and Jake Bugg, while immersing himself amongst Scottish hit-makers Lewis Capaldi and Calvin Harris.

« back to Alternative Artist Info