Holy Holy’s Timothy Carroll (vocals) and Oscar Dawson (guitars) have created a fresh new sound for the indie rock band’s third album release My Own Pool of Light. Their first album in two years is a showcase of driving drums supported by a vibrating bass and bright yet not-overused synthesisers.
The album opens with ‘Maybe You Know’, lead by a pulsating drum that drives the tune, and a bass rocking behind the lyrics to offer depth to the tune. This is followed by ‘Faces’, the albums first single. Featuring looped backing vocals from Australian musicians Ali Barter and Ainslie Wills, the fast-paced lead vocals creates a beat that demands movement.
Songs like ‘Flight’ and ‘Starting Line’ offer steady, cruisy tunes, while the latter draws you back in with a heavy-hitting chorus. The album’s second single, ‘Teach Me About Dying’ is the highlight of the album. Your attention is instantly grabbed by the drum track. Synths soon follow, with vocals joining to create a fast-moving tune that’ll have your hands or feet tapping before you even realise. The bridge shows Holy Holy at their finest: a fast, catchy beat that you don’t want to end.
Carroll’s ‘Frida’, written for his daughter, tells of the struggles a young girl faces growing up in a modern society that still recognises gender stereotypes. This preludes that album’s closing song, ‘St Petersburg’. A stray from the sound of the rest of the album, this opens with a piano progression reminiscent of George Harrison’s ‘Isn’t It a Pity’ and accompanies an echoed vocal that leads a stripped back ballad.
My Own Pool of Light is proof that Holy Holy are a force to be reckoned with. Developing their own sound, where no two tracks are alike. This album is one for fans of Tame Impala, or anyone that wants a beat to rock out to our mellow out with.
4/5
Wonderlick Recordings
Reviewed by Thomas Devereux
