CD: Florida Georgia Line – H.O.L.Y. (Single Review)

Florida
Georgia Line

– H.O.L.Y. (Single Review)
Release
Date: 29 April 2016
Label:
Big Machine Label Group, LLC
Time:
3:16 minutes

Rating:
83/100
Available
for download on Amazon | UK iTunes
FGL
open a new chapter showing a softer side on H.O.L.Y.
The
self-appointed bro-country multi award winning duo
Florida
Georgia Line

(Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley) return but this time with something
a whole lot more meaningful.
They
display a fresh maturity which should reach out to, and be embraced
by a wide age demographic given its universal appeal.
In terms
of quality this could well be their best effort yet and certainly
their most noteworthy since the mid-tempo Billboard #1 ballad “Dirt”
dropped on July 8, 2014.
H.O.L.Y.
(writers Nate Cyphert, William Larsen and busbee) opens with a gentle
acoustic guitar and piano underscored with a soft back beat.
It finds
Tyler Hubbard’s role depicting a desperately lonely, thoughtful and
reflective mood. As winter sets in clinging onto threads of hope, he
sings:
I
couldn’t find a day I didn’t feel alone, I never meant to cry,
started losing hope…
As the
rain clouds disperse and love is found, a new biblical-like chapter
is opened as Brian Kelley joins in on the chorus lines:
You’re
holy, holy, holy, holy, I’m high on loving you, high on loving you
Although
the pair didn’t write the worship-like tune they obviously became
emotionally attached to the song. They show a deep respect, honour
and gratitude towards their wife’s who they’ve desired for so long to
marry and to raise their future offspring.
You
made the brightest days from the darkest nights
You’re
the river bank where I was baptized
Cleanse
all the demons
That
were killing my freedom
Let
me lay you down, give me to ya
Get
you singing babe, hallelujah
We’ll
be touching, we’ll be touching heaven
The
number with its overtly spiritual vibe is thankfully uncluttered
production wise. It allows Hubbard’s vocals the space to shine and
soar as he digs deep to evoke the necessary emotion and passion
without crossing the line for it be considered too syrupy, thus
delivering a sweet yet honest sentiment:
You’re
an angel, tell me you’re never leaving, Cos you’re the first thing I
know I can believe in
Lyrically,
Hubbard trades both personal experiences and metaphors on “H.O.L.Y.”
like a sweet love letter to his significant other with the words:
I
don’t need the stars cos you shine for me, Like fire in my veins,
you’re my ecstasy

(You’re my
ecstasy)
Later in
the track a faint organ and steel drift over the background harmony.
As the
love song gently fades and with healing hands soothing the hurt FGL
are it seems
Forever
Grateful
Lovers!
With
summer on the country horizon this will be another welcome addition
to what is becoming an already ballad laden Billboard chart! The
genre it seems, in this currently crazy world, feels there’s a need
for positivity, hope and to spread genuine love.
In fact,
FGL have another song waiting in the angel’s wings called “Music
Is Healing” on their forthcoming third studio album named
DIG
YOUR ROOTS
.
Joey Moi
has returned to produce the record, and Tim McGraw is slated to make
an appearance on one song.
Brian
Kelley & Tyler Hubbard got their start playing guitar and singing
in church both separately and together (worship leaders) and return
to that vibe on “H.O.L.Y.”
God’s
been good to us and on our side and I think this one’s going to shine
big

said
Kelley.
Don’t be
surprised to see this gently “cruise” to the top of the
charts.
Adrian
Clark for Country Music News International

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