ALBUM REVIEW: Time – Hold Close
HOLD CLOSE, are an American pop punk five piece signed to Hopeless Records and hoping to gain momentum with the release of their album Time. And with a fair few fillers for songs and a lack of cohesiveness across the album, time may be just what they need so they can figure out their musical sound and style.
Time is not only the title of the album, but it is also the opening track. It is minute and a fleeting few seconds long song that’s meant to ease to introduce and ease the listener into the album. But, instead comes across as a condensed, misguided and pointless filler of a track. The song is among a fair few other very short filler tracks like Aura which dilutes the album’s punch. But, as easy, pleasant and quick it is to listen to these tracks, it is even easier to press the ‘next’ button.
Their single Breath is a ‘grower’ kind of song – the more you listen to it the more you like it. And it’s all down to the powerful and roaring vocals of lead singer Braxton Smiley in the chorus, that make you hit the replay button again and again. But, it is also the versatility of his voice and his ability to sing so softly and build up the anticipation before unleashing his voice’s true potential at the perfect time. However, lyrically speaking, the song boasts many cliché lines like “Is death a normal thing to fear?” But, although the meaning of the lyrics is easily grasped and is not mindbogglingly original, that’s what makes the song easy to connect to. It is that straightforwardness that turns this track from a background tune to a meaningful one. But, that is also what makes the chorus catchy and easy to remember and sing along to.
Tropical Depression is the life line of the album and it’s mesmerising in every aspect. From the captivatingly raw and intimate lyrics that paint the struggle of feeling despaired, to the harmonious instrumental background of the track. The song manages to tell a heavy story but in a delicate manner with a soft and angelic sounding Smiley singing to a background of slow, soothing and an interact sounding guitar. The touching song is their best one on the album as it truly uncovers their full future potential.
Time is full of filler tracks and is one which requires multiple listens before one can be hooked on a couple of their tracks. But, in our day and age where listeners have too much choice and a low attention span, HOLD CLOSE needed to make their listeners fall in love with at least one track from the moment it played. And not after multiple listens, as most won’t bother with giving them a second chance. Also, another issue with the album is that it’s not cohesive. As Smiley sounds different on different tracks as he goes from sounding like Ben Barlow of NECK DEEP in tracks like Separation and Breath to sounding like Ollie Sykes of BRING ME THE HORIZON with his stylistic choice to sing in a throaty tone in Absent To Reality. Clearly, HOLD CLOSE still need to find their own distinct style to be recognised by. However, Time is still enjoyable and likeable, and although it may not push you to rave about it to your mates, your mind is sure to remind you of their catchy choruses and make you go back and listen to them and check in on the band’s progress.
Rating: 6/10
Time is set for release January 18th via Hopeless Records.
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