Review Summary: A fantastic start for a band that's just getting started.
Nature is a powerful thing. To immerse yourself in nature means to let go of your worldly feelings. Even the suburban human equivalent of camping can truly be a getaway. Holy Fawn exploded onto the shoegaze scene fully embracing the woods, lakes and the mystical beyond. What that mindset they went the route of a more dream pop approach in their first outing,
Realms. The shoegaze leanings are still here in this more dream pop influenced EP debut, but the music proves well worth the listen.
From the get-go they fully figured out how to be a collective. No one Holy Fawn member overshadows the other even though reverb-soaked guitars clearly pave the way.
Realms has a healthy variety of memorable melodies. They range from the cinematic and incredibly urgent repetition of “Can We Lie Here?” and the stirring soundscapes of “Foal.” Their style exudes passion and a clear love for the genres they will perfect later.
Meanwhile, “Colossus” would sound right at home on Death Spells. While their vocal work and approach to their atmosphere doesn’t prove quite original just yet, there’s enough here to marvel and appreciate. Like the ocean of reverb and fuzz “Gloandi.” The raw distortion and repetitive melody they pull off is impressive and it’s gripping all the way through.
The most surprising favorite here is one unexpected from Holy Fawn, even in their debut. “Amulet” perfects the genre bending of trip hop, dream pop and shoegaze and the song as a whole takes their material to new heights. The layers upon layers they keep adding onto their soundscape makes it even more massive and eternal.
With its horror twinged guitar tones and exhausted vocal harmonies, the album comes to a close with “Lo.” As an EP debut, Holy Fawn’s
Realms exceeds expectations. They’re a band that knows how to create a mysterious nature-based atmosphere akin to the woods and shoegaze very well. And the best is yet to come. For Holy Fawn fans and newbies alike, this is a must listen. It’s a fantastic starting point for a band that’s…just getting started.
