Mono Freedom
Playground, 2020
8/10
A quintet from Finland who have already been EMMA Nominated (the Finnish version of a Grammy), The Holy return with a sophomore album here, where 2 guitars and 2 percussionists help them forge a very unique sound where Kraut-rock and alt-rock ideas are never in short supply.
“No Trial In The DarK” starts the listen with a fuzzed out display of anthemic rock that’s on par with grittier side of stadium rock, and “Twilight Of The Idiots” follows with glorious keys and swirling melody in the layered alt-rock where the vocals soar high.
Closer to the middle, the percussively heavy “Love Is Just A Word That We Use” moves with much beauty that points at dream-pop, while “Ageing Boxer” brings the listen into post-punk territory as the energetic rhythm section anchors a very agile climate.
Near the end, the spacey “Dada Love” builds into a busy delivery of pop-friendly modern rock, and “Museum Of Modern Hearts” exits the listen initially calmer, before settling into a sonically intriguing and dynamically charged version of their unclassifiable formula.
The Holy are already well known in their part of the world, and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if this strong album garners them worldwide attention, as their pop, prog, punk, and metal hybrid is all substance and no flash.
Travels well with: Kidsmoke- A Vision In The Dark; Moving Panoramas- In Two