David Holmes
Blind on a Galloping Horse
(Heavenly Recordings)
3.5/5
David Holmes’ first solo album since 2008 is a collaborative offering from the North Irish musician, with every track featuring Raven Violet’s enchanting vocals. Known for his mixing of cinematic soundtracks and DJing, this album will not disappoint fans looking for an alternative, rebellious sound.
Holmes delivers a transcendent mix of often existential lyricism and a powerful, somewhat wandering note profile. Driven by a strong rhythmic presence, the diction can sometimes be difficult to distinguish, which occasionally feels intentional and mirrors the substantial multilingualism that would be required to understand everything on this record.
Blind on a Galloping Horse spans an impressive emotional range, feeling reflective, hopeful, and, to some degree, melancholy, all married together in a balanced interpretational experience.
Most likely a step outside your regular playlist, this intense and thought-provoking record is well worth a listen.