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Madison Spies

Review: "Loud" - Holly Blair




Holly Blair Loud Cover Art

Bury yourself in a whirlwind of ear-striking musicality with “Loud” from artist Holly Blair. “Loud” is a testament to the people who are caught in a vortex of feeling overwhelmed and looking for solace. Blair opens “Loud” with her soothing voice alongside cushy synths, creating a warm and welcoming introduction to a tune with deep undertones. As the song unfolds, the pattern of the synths and waves to Blair’s voice appear to mimic a mind that is overwhelmed and experiencing a multitude of sensations all at once. Upon my first listen, lyrics with a small detail regarding “staring at the pavement” hit me like a ton of bricks. Blair’s writing style has a way of drawing you in with its flow and making you stay with its intricacies. Although “Loud” has a runtime of just around two minutes, its impact is substantial and within those 120 seconds you are immersed in a world of safety and resonation.




As someone who struggles with often feeling overwhelmed, this song spoke to me in several ways. From my first listen, the opening sound somehow felt similar. I saw myself in “Loud” and that was accompanied by both feelings of joy and productive discomfort. While the track brought up difficult feelings, the mimicked patterns within “Loud” allowed me to explore my personal experiences and tune in with myself to provide a comforting experience. Rather than opening old wounds and pouring salt into them, I felt as though I had a new friend holding my hand through battles I’ve fought time & time again. Blair’s ability to connect with audiences through subjects such as struggles with mental health, as well as to produce music that blends genres across the board, is unmatched in comparison to a great number of artists. On top of this, Blair’s openness regarding her sexuality and identity provides a safe space in her music and for others that is incredibly important and should be shared more through the entertainment industry. I applaud her not only for the level of musicality she brings to the table but additionally for being an authentic light in all she does.


Holly Blair is an LA-based songwriter, filmmaker, and multi-instrumentalist. She is a queer, gender-fluid artist who creates work that bridges gaps between genres as well as creative, defining worlds. Since coming out at age 22, Blair has embedded her identity throughout her music and continues to push past the confinements of society. She has stated that her fluid identity has helped allow her to play with genres and make music that is authentic to her. She has the ability to one day create a song that falls under the branch of country, then the next day produce an electronic track. Her 2023 EP, One Step Away Is Too Far, featured collaborations from producers Tim Carr – a.k.a Perfume Genius – and David Burris, who has worked with producer Tommy English and artist Willow Smith. “Make It On My Own”, a single off her 2023 EP, opened up a world for Blair – she became the co-director for the “Make It On My Own” music video and has since then only pushed her creative abilities forward.


Written By Madison Spies



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