Holy Monitor - Southern Lights

I’d never heard of Holy Monitor before Southern Lights landed in my lap. I was surprised to discover that this is their third full-length record. Why am I only finding out about this awesome band now? Holy Monitor is a psychedelic/progressive rock quintet hailing from Athens, Greece.

To be honest, on first listen, while I was blown away by the craftsmanship of the musicians, I wasn’t sure singer/guitarist George Nikas’s vocals worked for me. It took a couple more spins and then I got it. Yes, it absolutely fits this band and their music to perfection. Much like prog rock giants Yes’s Jon Anderson and Rush’s Geddy Lee’s vocals might have taken a little while to get used to upon first listens back in the day for those bands, Nikas’s voice has textures that give Holy Monitor their trademark sound. This band is tight and everyone’s contribution is equally strong and important, resulting in a fantastic album.

The beautiful opening track, “River”, to me says, “Welcome to a retro journey, my friends, have we got some great gems in store for you!” It feels like we’re embarking on a very special trip. “Naked in the Rain” is groovy and feels instantly familiar. Next up is “Blue Whale”, a pure psychedelic delight. I love the retro vibe of this song. The title track, “Southern Lights”, is a dreamy tune with its rhythmic guitars that paint rainbows in the psychedelic skies. “The Sky is Falling Down”, the longest cut of the album, is nothing short of epic and is a song that has something likely to please everyone. From there we segue into “Hourglass”, the sole instrumental track. It’s hypnotic and spacey and would have fit like a glove on an early Pink Floyd album. “Ocean Trail” is the perfect bridge to the finale, the laidback “Under the Sea” which brings this 40-minute voyage to a close. The entire set of songs has a very cohesive quality to it, at times feeling almost like you’re listening to a concept album.

Holy Monitor’s Southern Lights is a magical album. It’s one of those records that you can just put on, shut your eyes, and let your mind wander far away to the sound of the music for the full duration. It’s a very polished record from a band of skilled instrumentalists that has the gift of effortlessly drawing images with music. If psychedelic rock with a slice of prog is your thing, then Southern Lights is a no-brainer of a purchase. Highly recommended!

Holy Monitor’s Bandcamp page: https://holymonitor.bandcamp.com/