Review: Roots (EP) - Holloway Road

Jack Cooper and Robert Gulston, otherwise known as Holloway Road have had a busy few months with appearances across the UK, including two appearances at the always growing C2C in London, and releasing their latest single, ‘Little Harder’ and the duo have capitalised on the buzz growing around them on social media with the release of their second EP, Roots - which is available to download today. High standards were set by their first and self-titled EP which entered the Top 10 UK country album charts on iTunes but Roots exceeds these standards with slicker arrangements and tighter lyrics. 

1. Little Harder: The EP’s opener was a song that stuck out for me during the boys’ C2C performances and the same could be said for the EP as well. Upbeat, there is something about this song that feels perfect for the summer. Maybe it’s the infectious banjo or maybe it’s the ridiculously catchy chorus or maybe it’s both. Whatever it is, this pop-infused country track is a real gem.
2. All My Life: This is a song that I have a feeling will become a real fan favourite at live shows. With it’s ‘woahs’ and its defiant ‘we won’t back downs’, this song has a real anthem feel about it and I think that it may just become an anthem among the boys’ ever growing fanbase at future shows.
3. Good Thing Gone Bad: This song is a departure from the quick pace of the first two songs and it is a welcome departure, with the slow and simple guitar led track showing another side to the duo. Lyrically, this song is excellent and is a shining example of what country music should be – heartfelt and meaningful.
4. Roots: The EP’s title track delivers in an unapologetically country fashion with its fiddle and references to boots. Jack and Robert have a real penchant for crafting catchy hooks and ‘Roots’ is no different. A solid track.
5. Let Me Go: The EP starts and ends on an energetic note and left me wanting more than a mere five tracks and I have no doubt that a full length album will be on the boys’ mind, especially since this release will have fans – both new and old – demanding more. The perfect blend of country, folk and pop, this song is, again, infectious and will have fans singing along during their shows. Another fantastic track.

The boys have just finished touring with Dexeter on a successful and very received run of dates around the UK, they will be playing two more dates at the end of the month – Kelvedon Institute, Essex (24^th) and Bantock House, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (30^th). These dates will be a chance to see Jack and Robert playing a stripped back acoustic set, with songs from Roots and some new, as yet unreleased material – we recommend that you go get their EP and head along with one of the dates if you can!

Get Roots here.
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