Along with Detroit and Memphis, Chicago was a major hotspot of classic soul back in the ’60s and ’70s, so it’s no real surprise that the sound persists in the Windy City today…although not always in the places you’d expect. Say hello to “retro rock” quintet Hollyy, who released their 2020 debut album Miss the Feeling within their first year together. True to their double-consonant/double-vowel handle, Hollyy’s sound splits the difference between Daptone-style soul and rock that lands somewhere between ’90s indie and ’70s folk.
With the help of engineer/producer Mark Needham (who’s worked with Fleetwood Mac, The Killers, Elton John, and more) Holly just shared their sophomore EP If You’re Ever Lost this morning. This new record may be a bit shorter than Miss the Feeling, but boasts a natural cohesion and infectious blending not quite achieved by its predecessor. But going back to Chicago soul, you’ll hear that influence right away with one of If You’re Ever Lost‘s top tracks, “Someone Just Like Me”!
–Jack Anderson
