The Minneapolis artist Hollow Star arrives on the indie-rock and power-pop scene with "Seconds," his debut single, and the clarity of an identity woven into the underground's fabric. "Seconds," the first song from his forthcoming EP, due out January 9th, presents itself as a song that took advantage of both being struck with inspiration and having the available time to capture that inspiration on tape.
The song was an instant creation by Hollow Star during the EP-recording days, inspired one morning when the guitar was picked up, a chord trickled out, and childhood heroes guided his fingers. The artist playfully name-checks the influence of Andy Summers. The acknowledgment is indicative of what the record is about, which is that inspiration often has more to do with resonance than imitation, and it serves as a nod to how early musical influences can shape the emotional heart of a song.
"Seconds" is a journey, marked by questions about the Creator, the spirit, and some of the ways humans attempt to define the Divine. The songwriter, who was secular in his upbringing, found himself in conversations about faith with everyone he met, each with their own personal view of the divine. This release is the sound of an inner monologue amplified by indie-rock vitality, colourful guitar textures alongside earnest vocals and a relaxed, yet questioning pace that moves back and forth between memories and self-discovery. Hollow Star is full of pathos, as well as humor, self-reflection, and a killer hook.