Athens, Greece-based duo Hollow Shift showcase a riveting darkwave sound across Reload, an EP that leans into pulsing electronics and nocturnal momentum. Blending post-punk tension with synth-driven immediacy, it explores isolation, fractured selves, and dancefloor catharsis within shadowy, emotionally charged soundscapes.
A riveting opener, “Play the Game” unfolds with chillingly cinematic allure. A spine-tingling, wordless vocal mystique lingers amidst a bass-y warmness and sporadic pushes of pit-pattering rhythms. The vocals gradually escalate in soaring fervency, culminating in a pulsing synth-bass that kicks the track into infectious gear. Solemn vocals and chilly soundscapes venture throughout, driving into catchier ardor with seamless entrancement. The ensuing “All Alone” achieves a lusher synth-pop intrigue, channeling a dream-pop spirit in the ghostly vocal tones and twinkling electronic ascents.
The project’s more vigor-full tendencies show right away on “Reload,” with its illuminated synth prancing — then traversing cohesively into brooding vocal tone: “Yesterday I passed a girl, who reminded me of me.” A post-punk guitar undercurrent moves enjoyably as spacey synths build alongside the climactic vocal feeling, arriving into the arp-y synth infectiousness “lying on the road” hook. That post-punk embrace is further explored on the head-nodding, delectably nocturnal “Heat,” while EP finale “Fatal” succeeds as well with its haunting electro-pop drive. Reload is a gripping success of an EP from Hollow Shift.
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We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
