HOLYCHILD - The Shape of Brat Pop To Come

HOLYCHILD
The Shape of Brat Pop to Come
2015

Following in the footsteps of Matt & Kim Los Angeles duo HOLYCHILD have produced a pop record that attempts to expose the inherent hypocrisy of pop music. It's pop for people who think they are to cool for pop. Borrowing from elements of Hip Hop, ElectroPop and almost every other genre out there The Shape of Brat Pop to Come ticks all the boxes of an "ironic" look at pop music though at times it can feel a bit contrived. The angst against commercial media, social justice and the world at large filtered through a pop sensibility while seemingly novel is more of a specific effort. They are shoehorning in a social message while at the same time creating music that has the largest mass appeal possible.

There are definitely some bangers on this record, "Barbie Nation" for example is an all out hit, but the album bleeds into one note. There is very little change in tone or theme throughout the entire record. The album was written to take a chunk out of the ills of pop music but the real irony is that HOLYCHILD actually become that very thing. No doubt this music is catchy and perfect to move to on the dance floor, but that real soul and body is missing. Most of the record feels hollow and false just leaving you wanting more. The Shape of Brat Pop to Come is a novel idea and works on a few levels, but it never delivers on a visceral get you out of your seat level. A decent first effort from HOLTCHILD but there is work to be done to refine this idea.

5.5 out of 10