Hollie Smith – Coming In From The Dark
(Soundsmith Records / Warner Music NZ)
Reviewed by Bridget Herlihy.
The age-old saying, or cliché, that ‘good things take time’ frequently has some merit. After all, a masterpiece very rarely materialises overnight. It can take days, weeks, months, or in some cases years, to come to fruition. Case in point, it has been five years since Hollie Smith released her last album, the critically acclaimed ‘Water Or Gold’. Throw a pandemic and the subsequent production delays into the mix, and releasing an album can be a tricky business. Yet sometimes the wait makes the arrival of that album just that much sweeter, and Smith’s highly anticipated third album ‘Coming In From The Dark’ is indeed a modern masterpiece.
From the opening bars of the album’s first – and title – track ‘Coming In From The Dark’, it is clear that this album packs an emotional punch. It is an absolutely stunning, spellbinding track , and the addition of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra brings an abundance of exquisite layers to the piece, making it one of the many highlights of the LP. The orchestra elements give way to the more upbeat soul stylings of ‘Tell Me What You Want’, which is followed by the mellow, feel-good ‘Something Good’. Another exceptional track is the hypnotic and divine ‘What About Us’ featuring Raiza Biza, which will undoubtedly become a firm fan favourite. It also leaves the listener burning with anticipation with what comes next. The NZSO make another two appearances, in ‘Lay Me Down’ and closing track ‘YOU’, which includes opens with contemporary medieval-inspired instrumentation.
‘Coming In From The Dark’ is a deeply personal album. Over the course of its nine tracks Smith takes the listener on an emotional journey that traverses the highs and lows that often punctuate life. There are moments of melancholia, introspection, reflection, gratitude and ultimately joy. Putting all of these experiences together, Smith has produced a compelling and inspiriting listening experience. In fact, it could be said that Smith takes the listener on a rollercoaster ride of emotions from the beginning to the very end of the album. Yet the metaphorical ups and downs are nothing short of uplifting, as Smith beautifully turns these shared human experiences into a beautiful sonic trip that taps into our consciousness and imagination with ease. Needless to say, Smith’s distinctive voice is a mesmerising as ever, and her skills as an accomplished musical storyteller have continued to go from strength to strength.
‘Coming In From The Dark; may have taken five years to reach our ears, but there is no doubt whatsoever that this album’s germination was indeed a fruitful one. This album should be on everyone’s must-have list. Grab yourself a copy immediately, sit back and relax, and let it wash over you. You will not regret it for a moment.
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