"Holly Golightly," by Manchester-based artist Celestial Skies, also known as Chris Selman, shows that indie rock is still alive and kicking and is able to do some serious emotional excavation. From the forthcoming album "The Art of Breaking Hearts," due by May 23, 2025, this track channels the golden age of British indie, but it also sharpens its claws and throws in a playful wink.
"Holly Golightly" exudes the confidence of Brit indie circa 2000 from the opening beat, but there's something studied here. Think Muse's melodrama, Franz Ferdinand's stomp, and Arctic Monkeys' lyrical bite all filtered through Selman's melodic instincts and a very modern perspective on the timeless theme of power play. The track delves into the slimy give-and-take dynamics of a relationship where charm can be a weapon and status, youth, or beauty is the currency. It's a lyrical tightrope between desire and control, and Selman doesn't wobble at any point.
Leeds-based singer/songwriter Kuill adds a haunted foil to Selman's vocals as if they were a conversation between two points of manipulation. Here, their singing chemistry adds a gravitas to the song's dramatic trajectory. Just as you think you've reached the summit, the strings rush in, lush, surprising, and sweeping, and suddenly, it's not just some indie banger anymore. Recorded at Manchester's legendary Blueprint Studios and mastered at Abbey Road Studios, the production is immaculate. Every detail feels considered, from the punch of the drums to the whirling final strings that leave you both satisfied and wanting what's next.
"Holly Golightly" is the full declaration, and Celestial Skies is not just looking back at indie's glory days but reworking them for 2025. This song is moody, thoughtful, and shockingly graceful in its chaos. With his album on the horizon, Selman is proving that heartbreak and head-banging are not mutually exclusive and, frankly, we're all here for it.
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