HOLYCHILD - American Oil Lamp

HOLYCHILD
American Oil Lamp EP
2016
Spotify

HOLYCHILD's last album introduced to the world to their new brand of "brat pop" and was received with mixed results. This new EP comes almost a year after The Shape of Brat Pop to Come and holds on to the same elements but just does it at a much higher level. Only 5 tracks American Oil Lamp has a featured act on each song adding something really quite special. With the likes of RAC, Kate Nash and Ms Mr taking a stab at the production on each of the tracks you can't help but expect fun bright music that will skew just off the beaten path for pop music. The opener "Rotten Teeth" which features Kate Nash is a really slick take on an idea that has been around for awhile. Instead of going more mainstream with their sound it seems like HOLYCHILD are actually getting weirder, which is a good thing. It makes their music more interesting and adds more dimensions which often can be a genre that has been done and done again. RAC continues the trend lending his talents to one of the really odd tracks from the record "Power Play". It is a track to breathes in and out with an electronic fervor that is simply infectious. While the band could never be called understated in any way there is a sense that there is quite a bit going on under the surface with this music despite it's big sound.

As HOLYCHILD get closer and closer to completely dialing their sound in you get better and better performances from them. Their energy was always front and center, but the music was just not there to back it up. You would notice this in their live performances where you would find yourself falling right in line with the crowd, but then listening on your own was a bit of a chore. That idea is totally gone with this record, they have a message and know exactly how to deliver. "Rotten Teeth" is so catchy that even your staunchest music snobs would have to concede and get their hips shaking. It may be quite short but there is a hell of a lot packed in to this EP and is a really good sign of the things to come from HOLYCHILD next. If you are looking for some really good pop music that is just off enough to be interesting than American Oil Lamp and HOLYCHILD are the band for you. Take a listen and see what you think.

7.9 out of 10