HOL1D4Y: Topology Review
The Rival Sons guitarist Scott Holiday has released his first ever solo album, Topology, under the new creative identity HOL1D4Y on September 25th. The record represents a big step outside of the comfort zone as it grew out of a private writing practice following a serious bike accident. It poses a larger question about what remains of us when life bends, stretches, and changes our shape. The very idea that gives this album its title.
It starts with a psychedelic track aptly titled “Holotropic”. Bold guitar effects, synths, dissonant harmonies, and spoken words all contribute to a very trippy opening track that sets the scene perfectly for the journey ahead. Driving groove, dreamy vocals, and guitars in reverse make up “Panoptic”. A change of tonal polarity creates tension and high mood contrasts.
The intro to “Veridream” is wrapped in Pink Floyd influences; however, the guitar licks and delivery of verses possess that authentic Rival Sons vibe. “Autonomatic” brings more punch in instrumental parts, heavy fuzz on the guitar, and drums pumping energy into a killer exotic-scale riff; the chorus however, calms everything down before moving into an instrumental track titled “Constellations” that defies any and all genre boundaries.
A heavier track called “Metacognition” follows. An introspective number that plays with the flow of time itself with its floaty rubato parts. This is sandwiched by another instrumental, “CRISM,” that feels warm and mysterious at the same time, reintroducing the Pink Floyd vibe. “Equanimity” follows with some haunting vocal harmonies, before closing off with a beautiful acoustic instrumental titled “Love of Separation”.
Aside from the aforementioned Pink Floyd influences, the tracks on this record are occasionally giving Muse as well as Democracy-era Guns n’ Roses vibes. Whether that’s a purposeful nod to these artists, a subconscious influence, or just a subjective feeling on my behalf, I’ll leave it up to you to decide. Scott Holiday definitely made it his own and bravely explored new horizons with Topology. This artistic, cinematic, atmospheric concept album sounds more like a futuristic psychedelic rock symphony that your standard blues rock record. It’s musical therapy and bold artistic statement rolled into one.
The Review 8/10
Can’t Miss Tracks
– Autonomatic
– CRISM
– Love of Separation
The Big Hit
– Autonomatic
