Holly head: "I've Had Want", a review

“I’ve had want” is the newest release from politico-punk band, Holly Head, co-written by Westside Cowboy’s drummer and former Holly Head lead guitarist Paddy Murphy.  This track explores the numbness that accompanies depression, a deeply relatable yet still taboo topic. The importance of songs like this is vast in the world we live in today.

Not only is the message of incredible importance – the song, for lack of a better word, bangs. It opens with a groovy repeating guitar riff, followed by perfectly matching drums. I’m not technical in my knowledge of music (as I’m sure avid readers of melodify know all too well), so I have no idea what it’s called but I love when instruments come in late, or one at a time. It creates such an interesting build every time. And I love that the instruments feel like their own parts instead of one in the same, they fade out and in throughout the track (there’s a metaphor for mental health somewhere in there).

The track is consistently good, carrying the exact amount of energy needed throughout. With my first listen, all I could do was tap my fingers across the desk or bounce my leg in the rhythm.

Holly Head are known for their combination of political stances woven in with a funky beat, and though that is always a great thing to be known for I really like this shift in topic. There are elements of societal problems throughout the song, id expect nothing less, but this tune seems more of an inwardly focused reflection. Singer and songwriter Joe says, “Our anger shouldn’t be repressed though, and we still feel we must continue to tackle the issues we’ve talked about in the past”, a sentiment I really respect.

Liam’s bass playing is a stand out In this song (a very good thing). I think it helps reinforce the subtle anger behind the track, anger towards the inequality causing the distress, but I won’t get too GCSE English about it.

This song really stands out to me, and I appreciate the bands commitment to making statements through song. really, go listen to this song!!

And, great news, YOU can catch Holly Head live at any of these dates:

-           Friday 26^th June: Rossendale, Gather festival

-           Friday 3^rd July: Manchester, The Abbey

-           Saturday 25^th July: London, Bad vibrations

-           Sunday 30^th August: Chester, Alexanders

-           Friday 4^th September: London, The Lexington

-           Thursday 24^th September: London, Shacklewell Arms

-           Wednesday 7^th October: Salford, Beyond the music

-           Friday 22^nd – Sunday 24^th October: Rotterdam, Left of the dial

-           Saturday 31^st October: Bristol, The Louisiana

You can catch up with Holly Head on Instagram, as usual. Thanks so much for reading! And go listen to “I’ve had want”!!Cheers,

Eloise x