Holy Hive – Holy Hive

When Homer wasn't playing drums for Lady Gaga, Adele or Bruno Mars, he was producing Paul's solo folk records. Along with original bassist and frequent collaborator Joe Harrison, those sessions formed the foundation of Holy Hive. And their first album, "Float Back to You," skillfully combined Paul's heady, thoughtful approach to folk with Homer's universal, classic soul sound.

With their new album, Holy Hive return with their beautifully simple and spare folk-soul sound - but in an updated form. With new influences and the challenge of creating and recording music during a global pandemic, the new self-titled album is more personal and reflective. They describe three distinct phases in putting Holy Hive together: the first phase was before the pandemic in California when they traveled as a group, then - like the rest of us - they were apart, creating together but separately, and finally an explosion of output when they reunited in New York. There's a natural but subtle evolution for Holy Hive on this record. Homer and Paul drew from new and perhaps more obscure but honest influences. It's still very much folk soul - how could it be otherwise. But like all artists, they've internalized what they've done and the way they've done it, only to move into new areas. We know of Holy Hive's ability to convey the abstract and complex in a poetic and palatable way. But where the first record was soulful, with quiet songs about love and affection, Holy Hive expands the lens with these new influences, reflecting the points Homer and Paul are at in their own lives.