Review by Dom Vigil
There isn’t another band quite like The Hollow in the Denver music scene, and their new EP, Contact, further cements their place in the industry, finding an incredible blend of theatrical harmonies and manic, unbridled energy. Within only five songs, The Hollow once more prove their diversity on this release, with each song tapping into a different sound and energy entirely.
The opening track on Contact is something that some fans of The Hollow have been lucky enough to hear if they’ve seen them live – an absolutely stunning rendition of “Pure Imagination” – that’s right, from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The hauntingly beautiful intro, spearheaded by flawless vocal harmonies and gorgeous harp then transitions into the band’s energetic single, “Sleep Talkin’” without missing a beat. Although the two songs couldn’t sound more different, they sit nicely together. The band’s ability to blend cinematic sounds with high energy rock music (alongside Spencer Townshend Hughes’ soulful vocals) allows them to explore their sound more than ever between songs like these two.
The dark, haunting, “Catch As You Can” serves as the perfect bridge between the two extremes. The theatrical track kicks off with stunning vocal harmonies, similar to “Pure Imagination,” but the song has a bit of a bite to it when the chorus kicks in. On “Catch As You Can,” the band does an incredible job of balancing their sound, which gives you a nice moment to catch your breath before the massive “Mask Of Pearly Whites” kicks in. This track is another great example of the band’s ability to harness energy, and the guest vocals supplied by My Body Sings Electric’s Brandon Whalen add even more fire. At some points, “Mask Of Pearly Whites” feels a bit like a nod toward Muse, especially in Spencer’s vocals and the gritty bass work, but the explosive bridge reminds you that this is signature The Hollow.
Bringing things back down with “Way The Wind Blows,” The Hollow manage to take you on a roller coaster ride of sounds and emotions before the EP comes to an end. Despite the fact that it is only five songs in length, Contact is bound to make your head spin and you’re guaranteed to feel a bit exhausted by the time it comes to an end. The Hollow certainly don’t hold back on this release and it shows.
LISTEN TO: “Mask Of Pearly Whites” or “Sleep Talkin’”
STAY CONNECTED WITH THE HOLLOW: https://www.facebook.com/TheHollowMusic/