One of the best things about modern music is the element of mystery that comes with hearing a song like To Have by Holy Dances. The latest single by the West Palm Beach indie noisemakers has an enigmatic quality that suggests it could have been recorded in a dark, cosy bedroom or a multimillion-dollar recording studio. The level of quality one can produce from the comfort of their home has become indistinguishable from corporation funded music, and I’m officially on board with the new normal.
To Have is a wonderfully straightforward indie-pop tune that wastes no time in inspiring various dance moves in the listener. Jangly guitar hooks run throughout the track and stick to the brain like hundreds of tiny Johnny Marr’s, resulting in a song that feels like a pleasant dream on a Sunday morning. This is the sort of music I’d play if I were on holiday at the beach; a can of beer in my hand, viewing the world through a pair of sunglasses. The sort of day you wish would last forever.
Led by singer and guitarist Jose Perez, the goal of Holy Dances is to make music that they would love to see live. I think they’ve achieved this with ease. This is a band that would be perfect for festivals around the world, and I’d happily spend an evening getting drunk to the sound of To Have.