total tommy - Bruises

It’s unsurprising to learn of the electro-pop sensibilities to Jess Holt’s former project, because – reintroduced as total tommy – she now writes chorus hooks that can move mountains. The Sydney artist’s debut album couples shimmering indie-grunge guitars with the warm, fuzzy nostalgia of youth, as Holt stakes her claim to break out as Australia’s next great guitar act. Her personal snapshot into the emotional rollercoaster of young adulthood, ‘bruises’ – referring to the wounds that heal along the way – is coated in guitar influences, ranging from Fontaines D.C. to Momma. Holt half-whispers through the restless catchiness of ‘ADELINE’, while the loved-up euphoria of ‘Girlfriend’ ascends into another stratosphere. The punk-tinged ‘SPIDER’ shakes off an unwanted “stage five clinger” from her life, while parts of ‘SODA’ could be a long-lost Lorde track, blissfully ringing out from the depths of the ocean. Consistently produced yet multi-faceted through the pacing of its storytelling, ‘bruises’ represents an artist who’s clearly taken time to intricately hone their craft. Here, Holt’s sonic versatility and emotional horsepower ensure that total tommy is en route to becoming one of guitar music’s guiding lights.