Hailing from South Holland, San Holo is no stranger to the future bass music scene. First making a major impact in the SoundCloud community with a 3-piece Monstercat release, Trip three years ago, he quickly followed suit with a second Monstercat EP titled New Sky.
In his more recent expedition, album1, the Dutch native illustrates his multi-talented repertoire as a recording artist, DJ, guitar player, piano aficionado and singer; allowing San to demonstrate and tie in multiple inspirations and genres within one piece, which he released via his own record label bitbird.
Unleashing a tasteful new style which builds upon his rock and vocal upbringing, blends in pieces of his sensational future bass sound and touches in areas of ambiance. Adhering strictly to protocol, all of the features and vocalists spent time in-person, in the studio with San to ensure that the creative process flowed seamlessly between the contributing artists, which shines brilliantly through the overall rhythm and dexterity of the album as a whole.
A longing siren speckled with faint horns sets a euphoric mood in ‘everything matters (when it comes to you)‘, joined by a watery synth pattern briefly masking a rhythmic drum assemblage growing swiftly in volume, which catapults the song into a vibey sound space of contrasting soft strings and high pitched risers. The rhythm of the tune breaks momentarily before a nostalgic string pattern brings the track back into a sensational melody of bells, horns, and synths. At just after the midway point of the tune the hopeful synths are joined by a delicate, whispering chorus which gently leads the tune back to the rhythmic melody.
An electrifying pattern of bouncy synths open ‘lift me from the ground‘, a quick rising horn introduces the eloquent, silky smooth vocals courtesy of Sofie Winterson and glorifying congregation of strings. As the grandiose introduction draws to a close the lulling synth pattern returns coherently with a hushed, yearning chorus. The vocals gently grow in intensity, joined by an inspirational beat, which gains pace and launch into a spectacular drop of ascending bells and floral synths.
A retro pattern of synths and subtle guitar plucking are joined by a longing chorus in ‘show me‘, as a longing horn sounds in the distance the drums and intricacies of the track begin. A hopeful, rhythmic plucking build energy in the tune briefly, before the track breaks into a euphoric collection of bells, which brilliantly meld hope and nostalgia.
We had the opportunity to get an early peek at the 4th track in the album, ‘brighter days‘ featuring lyrics from Bipolar Sunshine. The song is a brilliant combination of styles and we really hope you take a look at the piece to get a closer look at the really unique creative process between the two talented artists.
Thrilling, strident vocals from James Vincent McMorrow line the introduction of ‘always on my mind‘ featuring string contributions from the talented Yvette Young. As an evocative synth grows in strength, a rigid snare launches the song into an onslaught of massive bass notes and sanguine strings. Faint angelic chimes offer a momentous break in the melody, joined by a craving hum, which reintroduces the sentimental chanting melody and an absolutely inspirational chorus of strings.
‘go back in time‘ opens with an infectious wavering synth, which breaks into a riveting, techno-reminiscent chorus. A buoyant pattern of strings guides the tune to a meticulously crafted melody of bells and horns.
An ambient chorus joined by a nostalgic melody of strings provide a warm introduction for ‘love‘ featuring Cassini. As the pace of the drums hastens, a stunning compilation of resonating synths and tightly wound snares unleash. A faint vocal accompaniment backed with a gentle longing string provide an encouraging pause in the melody, before the growing hopeful strings re-energize the adjournment of the tune.
A high-pitched, beckoning siren and retro synthesizers are joined quickly by an upbeat drum riser propelling ‘voices in my head‘ into a bouncing pattern of blissful synths and addictive humming. A swift break introduces a marvelous vocal chorus, which flows effortlessly with accompanying bells before dropping back into the electrifying melody.
Mellow strings unveil a filter-heavy vocal piece, which depict the relatable interpersonal struggles of self pride in ‘worthy‘. A growing, rhythmic snare pattern backs the pronging question “Tell me, am I worthy?” hurling the song into a charge of hefty bass hits and a mesmerizing pattern of synths.
‘forever free‘ featuring London-based producer Duskus begins with a drowned out vocal loop amid a gentle riser. As the vocals break an opulent string melody resonates unaccompanied, joined by a gradually increasing pattern of drums, which heighten the pace of the song. As the horns draw to a brief pause, a wonderful child-like sample provides a reassuring hopefulness before the vocal cadence and noble melody return.
Dreamy vocals from Caspian provide an air of motivation in ‘surface‘, a perfectly timed pause gives rise to an obsessive chorus of elegant synths and gripping strings, accentuated with heavenly, angelic chanting. As the energy fades out, the hopeful string melody breathes life back into the tune, joined with emotional, expressive vocals and a tempting pattern of synths.
An exquisite loop of bells heightened by a swift riser quickly sling ‘vestal avenue‘ into an immersive, euphoric soundscape characterized by fiercely emotional synths, taught snares and a sensational cadenced chanting. The distinguished plucked chords and piano subtleties provide an outstanding night cap to a superb project.
album1 demonstrates with astounding precision the depth and virtue of San Holo’s multidisciplinary talents. Effortlessly blending a remarkable palette of tastes and genres among lavish vocals, poignant strings and spectacular electronic intricacies, this impeccable 12-piece project depicts San’s continual desire to enhance and refine his style, striving to bring something new and provocative with each release in an effort to further the electronic genre.
