dee holt reimagines her sonic identity with "loving in the dark," her third EP and most daring art project thus far. Steering clear of the "candy pop" aesthetics of her previous work, holt explores a dark, cinematic soundscape that blends R&B undercurrents, alternative textures, and electric pulses to create a complicated and intoxicating milieu.
Clocking in at a bit longer than 12 minutes, this five-track collection is not merely a new aural experiment. It is a transformation in travel. Each track is a station on holt's fearless journey into the unknown, examining the duality of love, loneliness and self-discovery. With a sound as hauntingly rich as Tessa's vocal performance is chaotic, sometimes luxurious and airy, other times a searing graphic yelling, "Loving in the Dark" is a masterclass in how to infuse a song with mood and movement.
Standout tracks such as "Leaving Alone" and "Make a Move" embody the essence of the EP's cathartic, throbbing rhythms intertwined with scintillating melodic threads that stick in your head long after their conclusion. While "Leaving Alone" explores the loneliness inherent to heartbreak, cloaked in lush synths and pained lyricism, "Make a Move" dives into beguiling darkness, pulling you closer with its hypnotic rhythm.
holt has undoubtedly evolved. This EP is not merely a shift in sound; it's a defiant declaration that she will not be placed in a single genre. Instead, "Love in the Lark" solidifies her standing as an artist willing to venture off the beaten path, concocting a listening experience that's numerous and unshakeable.