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Jonni Slater: “Hold On” – plays with the mind and heart while refusing to sit still long enough to be pigeonholed

Jonni Slater is a singer songwriter based in Bristol, UK. Blending epic indie-rock and electronic sounds with classic songwriting, his music has echoes of Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Muse, and a dash of David Bowie. “Hold On” is his debut EP, released on 4th September 2015.

Ther Ep cover
Ther Ep cover

Jonni Slater could be categorized as indie, but that doesn’t seem fair. The all-encompassing sound created for the 5 tracks on “Hold On” is smooth and satisfying but not dominating to ward off the normal crowd. Expansive instrumentation and distinctive vocals will envelop you. From the opening track with use of guitars and keyboards you may try to find familiarity, but the following start-stop rhythms will throw that directly out the window.

Great vocals and harmonies can be heard throughout the Ep to accompany some brilliant guitar work. Jonni Slater shows us that intricate instrumentation and creative rhythms are needed to build a unique sound, and the ingenious work on “Hold On”, will leave you stunned.

Jonni Slater
Jonni Slater

“Hold On” is easily one of the best alternative rock albums of the year so far. What really sucked me in was the way everything flowed incredibly well from track to track – each so different and refreshing that you won’t find yourself skipping back and forth to your favorites the first few times through.

Rarely do I hear something that sounds so completely fresh and groovy at the same time. This Ep finds Jonni Slater synthesizing elements of art rock, alternative, and pop music in a way that I believe had yet to be done in indie. These elements are particularly impressing in the standout tracks “Hold On” and “In The Fire”.

Not that “Arrows” and “Lights” don’t jump out at you; it’s just that the first two tracks are truly on a higher level. Today, it’s rare to stumble across an Ep or album that works on so many levels as “Hold On”: musically, lyrically, and overall as an Ep.

Jonni Slater
Jonni Slater

It’s difficult to pin-point Jonni Slater’s sound, which I think is often the trademark of really good artists, even though a lot of labels do sometimes come to mind – from old-school to modern rock and pop. The Bowie-type voice is evident, as is the quaint mix of electric and electronic.

Regardless if the sound is upbeat or slower, there’s always an energy driving it that really hooks the ear. The point is, “Hold On” is an infectious and slippery Ep. It plays with the mind and heart while refusing to sit still long enough to be pigeonholed. Considering that nowadays cookie-cutter pop-rock is pretty much everywhere, it’s a treat to find something so concise, consistent and qualitatively cohesive still out there to be enjoyed in 2015!

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