Holo Boy

Nate Amos career has been full of twists and turns that are almost as unpredictable as his music. After spending years in the underground with Water from Your Eyes experimental art-punk and his earnest, genre-blurring solo project This Is Lorelei, he earned wider recognition with the formers 2023 breakthrough Everyones Crushed and the latters 2024 triumph Box for Buddy, Box for Star -- a pair of albums that found him equally at home dismantling pop conventions or crafting two-and-a-half-minute gems. On Holo Boy, Amos turns to the past, revisiting This Is Loreleis intimidatingly prolific discography with a fresh perspective. Aside from the effortless twang of "Dreams Away" and "This Is a Joke," Holo Boy isnt nearly as countrified as Box for Buddy. Instead, "I Cant Fall"s lush instrumentation and bone-dry wit evoke Jim ORourkes Insignificance and Eureka, continuing an erudite lineage that extends to Harry Nilsson and the Beach Boys. Amos abiding love for guitar pop perfection can also be felt on "Name the Band," a burst of chiming guitars and bright hooks that recalls Matthew Sweet, and on "Holo Boy" itself, which rivals the sunny chug of the Strokes or Phoenix. Elsewhere, his own pop craftsmanship shines on "But You Just Woke Me Up" and "SF & GG," both of which might be hookier than anything on Holo Boys predecessor. Just when things seem a little too neat and clean, Amos changes things up with "Mouth Man." Filled with self-destructing beats and vocals and guitars that zig where they should zag, its an echo of Box for Buddys "Perfect Hand" and a bracing reminder of This Is Loreleis range. Holo Boy may not be as much of a statement as Box for Buddy, Box for Star, but its charms are undeniable. Amos has been an expert popsmith for years; the world is finally catching up, and not a moment too soon. ~ Heather Phares

USインディーの最前線に躍り出た男女デュオ、ウォーター・フロム・ユア・アイズ。そのブレーンであるネイト・エイモスのソロ・プロジェクトは冒頭の惹句とは裏腹のリラックス・モード。過去曲も聴いてほしいという思いからの再録集である本作は、シンセを使ったドリーミーなサウンドに入り混じるロックンロールやカントリーのエッセンスが耳に心地良く響く。
bounce (C)山口智男