By Ashley Paskill
In today’s world, it can be difficult to get lost in an album. A million and one other things compete for our attention and we often have music playing solely as background noise. However, Holy Golden’s latest release, Sleepwalkers in the Milky Way, has a way of drawing listeners in. The captivating music and relatable stories within the lyrics force listeners to escape the world and its distractions for seven songs.
The album was recorded, mixed and produced at Machines With Magnets and mastered by Greg Calbi of Sterling Sound. It will be released on October 26, 2018, via Wallflower Records. Holy Golden consists of musicians Leslie Schott and Andrew Valenti who met in Martha’s Vineyard, where Valenti was working and Schott was visiting from Los Angeles. Their California roots shine brightly in the beach feel of their latest album.
The album starts off with “Lost Island,” which sets the mood for the dreamy feel of the rest of the album. The introduction has a catchy riff that is repeated in various forms throughout the rest of the song. Although the song has a carefree summer feel, some of the lyrics get a bit deep and dark. Schott’s voice continues to be dreamy, light, and smooth despite these darker aspects. This song definitely fits the old phrase, “A bad day at the beach is still better than a good day at work.”
While the overall dreaminess of the album continues, each song has a slightly different feel and a different topic that is discussed, including the loss of a parent (“Seven of Diamonds”). Each song glimmers with a slice of paradise. Even the songs that deal with sadness and pain have a sense of peace about them that shows acceptance of circumstances and can help ease listeners through whatever pain they may be dealing with.
Overall, this album is a breath of fresh air and a slice of paradise in a crazy and chaotic world. Even though the album deals with heavy topics at times, it still offers a feeling of hope and resolution in the pain. Its dreamy island feel is echoed throughout provides a valuable distraction for listeners who are overwhelmed by the stress and chaos that plague the world. It transports listeners to a dream place where there are answers and resolutions, no matter how dark things may feel.
Purchase the album via Bandcamp
