Holy Esque – Holy Esque EP

Holy Esque's self-released debut EP is an auspicious start for the young Glasgow-based band. They have a cathartic, transcendent sound that harks back to the widescreen indie rock of Gold Against The Soul-era Manics, with an insistent, jagged melodic edge to their riffs which at times recalls John Peel favourites The Undertones.

What raises the band head and shoulders above their influences, and indeed most of the current crop of Glasgow guitar-wranglers, are the rasping, fluttering vocals of Pat Hynes; an unearthly, vibrato wail that recalls Kurt Cobain and Ian Ball of Gomez. Anthemic, emotional, mosh-inciter Rose is the standout track, and has an epic sweep, while the sedate, feedback-saturated Loneliest Loneliness has a touch of dusted, Mazzy Star-esque blues. Throughout, the EP is a remarkably coherent and extraordinarily polished offering from a band who could well be destined for greatness.