Holy Holy – the Australian duo of Timothy and Oscar – has gifted fans the release of their highly anticipated new album, “Cellophane”; with its release, they have also unveiled a stylish music video for the single, “This Time” featuring Tasman Keith, which is a visual spectacle that perfectly complements the record.
Holy Holy has embarked on an audacious journey, shedding inhibitions and exploring new musical territory. The album itself exudes a sense of liberation, as the duo unburdens themselves from expectations and lets their creative spirit soar, with the heart and soul of “Cellophane” across its instrumentals, production, and vocals.
The album’s collaborative spirit shines through the forces of a diverse array of artists – from Australia and beyond – resulting in a sonic, richer sound than ever before. From the frenetic “Messed Up” with Sydney rap artist Kwame to the R&B-infused “Neon St” with Ethiopian-Australian neo-soul artist Medhanit, “Cellophane” is a musical adventure that defies genre boundaries.
Each track on the album is a showcase of the band’s power to collaborate and experiment. The dance-infused “Pretend To Be,” featuring production touches from Jack Glass of Bag Raiders, and the ’80s montage-pop gem “Ready,” a text message duet with Tasmanian electronica act Sumner, showcase the duo’s willingness to explore new sonic landscapes.
“We formulated this idea of Holy Holy as this kind of songwriting factory,” Timothy says about Cellophane’s extensive collaborations. “What would happen if we got a day or two with all of these really talented and really interested people, wrap around them and create something cool together? We really enjoyed the process, and we loved getting to know all these different artists. It became like a family, and it creates a tapestry that’s so rich and so exciting to us.”
The album’s extensive features list is a showcase of Holy Holy’s decade-plus partnerships and their confidence as artists. Guitarist/producer Oscar believes that this level of collaboration was only possible at this stage of their career. The album reflects their progress as songwriters and their ability to craft music that resonates deeply with listeners.
“I don’t think we would have been ready if we tried something like this on an earlier album,” Oscar says. “We’ve made a lot of progress, especially as songwriters – we’ve been really able to narrow in on a musical idea and get a real feel for a song. After making most of [Holy Holy’s previous album] Hello My Beautiful World on our own because of COVID, it was so nice to be able to get together with people in a room and make music together again.”
Frontman Tim describes “This Time” as a song about the inability to move on, about living in the past, reliving moments and conversations, and basking in the warm glow of memories. The collaboration with Tasman Keith, a multi-talented artist, adds a unique dimension to the track. Keith’s contributions elevate the song, infusing it with fresh energy while staying true to its essence.
“Such a privilege to get to work with Tasman Keith on this one,” Tim says about working with Tasman Keith. “We fell in love with his record A Colour Undone, especially the song ‘Tread Light’, which is such an incredible work. Tasman is a Gumbaynggirr man from Bowraville, New South Wales. He’s one of those triple-threat people. Can sing, can dance, can rap, has killer style, and he is a super creative and thoughtful dude. When we started chatting with him, I remember being worried he might find some of these works a bit to pop for his taste, and he was like ‘Nah – I f— with that shit’. Turns out he’s a huge pop music guy – loves MJ and Prince so it was fun to see his using that part of his talent on this track.”
“Cellophane” is more than just an album; it’s a celebration of musical diversity and artistic growth. Holy Holy has pushed their boundaries and emerged with a genre-bending masterpiece with this album, and their trademark blend of emotive vocals, intricate instrumentals, and thoughtful songwriting, continues to solidify their place as a standout act in the Australian music scene.
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