As luck would have it, neo-soul quintet Hollyy had two “leftover songs” from their debut 2020 EP “Miss the Feeling”. With these two songs stock-piled for a surprise release, we’ve been gifted with a double single drop, serving the beachy, chill vibes we all need right about now. Exploring narratives of time and self-reflection, these songs are the band’s “first crack at introspective writing”.

Cover art by @emilybaer_rawr

Sister singles “Sailing” and “Hesitate” bring new narratives to the familiar, trademark Hollyy sound. The smooth, dreamy Sailing comments on escapism, and pushing beyond your limits.  With sensory lyrics and wavy guitar tones, this jam brings the listener beachside in the midst of the gloomy Chicago winter. Taking a more introspective approach, Hesitate touches on the universal struggle of time and sentimentality. The combination of jazzy chord progressions and laid back drums engulfs the listener in a bittersweet feeling of warm memories. Together the two singles blend indie and alternative rock with Hollyy’s immediately recognizable R&B sound to create sonic narratives that are simultaneously joyful and self-reflective.

Using the isolation of Covid to refine their writing process, Hollyy remains active as a band, sending demos back and forth for virtual collaboration.  As the band continues to meet over zoom regularly, they are working towards refining their writing process- getting ready to hit the ground running when in-person recording can safely resume. Their initial goal of pressing physical 45’s of this double single drop is experiencing slight Covid delays, but we can stay hopeful for the release of physical records down the line.

Records aside, Sailing and Hesitate are streaming now, and with the good vibes they bring, we can count ourselves lucky that the band had these gems ready and waiting for this surprise release.  

Check out their Audiotree session from earlier this month.