Hollerado’s fame began with a gimmick: The Ottawa indie-rockers exploded through a video that clogged your Facebook feed, jamming in fast motion against the backdrop of a four-storey, human-operated version of Space Invaders. Oh, and the song—“Americanarama,” off the four-piece’s first full-length, Record in a Bag—was pretty good, too.
White Paint, the group’s newest release, is proof that the group has lived up to their grand introduction. The album follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, with big, sing-along choruses and uptempo tunes. “Don’t Think” is classic Hollerado, with loud guitars and catchy hooks—and audible influence from tourmates Tokyo Police Club—while “Desire 126” is an irresistibly nostalgic throwback to ’90s pop-punk. Softer, more pensive tracks, like “Lonesome George” and “I Want My Medicine,” add some variety to the album’s upbeat vibe. And whether it’s goofy lyrics (“Remember the time we flew by rubber band to California?”) or unexpected musical shifts—like the Dylan-by-way-of-funk sounds of “Fresno Chunk (Digging With You)”—the details here will leave you smiling.
With White Paint, you get the sense that Hollerado accomplished exactly what they set out to do: create a near-flawless collection of tunes that will have everyone in the crowd dancing and singing along. Now that they’ve proved they can keep the energy going, you almost wonder if they’ll ever be able to stop.
Playlist picks: “Don’t Think,” “Desire 126,” “Fresno Chunk (Digging With You),” “Pick Me Up”
