Irish musician Holly Munro is reshaping indie pop with her passionate vocal and distinct songcraft. She has a new EP,  A Crescendo Ending,  set for release in June by Kartel Music Group and has released a single Out Of Style.

She calls the EP “An exploration of personal growth and vulnerability” as it delves into the complex dynamics of relationships, self-discovery, and sexuality, offering a nuanced exploration of her own evolving identity. In essence, A Crescendo Ending becomes an existential journey, providing the most sincere and multifaceted reflection of Holly Munro’s evolving talent as a songwriter. Sounds like a set of songs to be savoured.

Holly now joins us for a Why I Love on Minneapolis singer/songwriter (and member of Big Thief) Adrianne Lenker.

Adrianne Lenker has been a standout artist for me lately. What captivates me about her is the unfiltered honesty in her songwriting. I had the privilege of catching her live in Dublin’s Vicar Street venue recently, and it was an unforgettable experience. Witnessing her perform with just her voice and guitar showcased the sheer power of her talent and songwriting. There was a chamber of voices in the crowd singing along to her songs all night with Not A Lot, Just Forever and Symbol being personal highlights of the night.

Aside from the beautiful songs, I also appreciate that she is really playful as an artist. A moment that stood out to me at her gig was when at one point during the show, she hit a wrong note, but instead of panicking, she turned it into this special  little moment, playing it a few more times. It was a reminder to lean in and explore, rather than pull back and withdraw when things don’t go exactly as planned. It was a really inspiring moment!

My journey with Adrianne’s music started with her work in Big Thief. I stumbled upon the track Indiana from the ‘a-sides’ record, which led me to delve deeper into her solo album, abysskiss in 2018. From that moment on, I was hooked. It’s hard to choose a favourite track from that, but From holds a special place in my heart, I think that’s because of the imagery in the lyrics  “One ear to your womb, Puppy on the floor, Baby’s coming soon,I wonder if she’ll know, Where she’s come from, From.” I also love the slow pace of her delivery in this track and how gentle her voice feels when she sings the word ‘from’. I find it really interesting to listen to her earlier records, because I think you can really hear how she’s progressed as a songwriter. 

Her latest record, Bright Future, really resonated with me, especially the poignant track Real House. The first listen moved me, as the song delves into the complexities of familial relationships, particularly with her mother. Hearing it live intensified the emotional resonance, leaving me speechless yet inspired by her ability to articulate feelings I struggled to express. It’s too hard to pick favourite lyrics from this but I think these are so beautiful – “I’m a child humming into the clarity of black space, where stars shine like tears on the night’s face.”

And then there’s her 2020 release, Songs & Instrumentals, a masterpiece that easily ranks among my all-time favourite albums. Anything is a stupendously good song. I also have a soft spot for the track ‘my angel’. The songs and instrumentals are a world unto itself, one I’d gladly take with me to a desert island.

Overall, her ability to convey raw emotions through her artistry is unparalleled, serving as a source of inspiration and introspection for me. She’s an artist whose work I constantly look forward to, and I’m really excited to see where her creativity takes her next.

Our thanks to Holly for her insight and obvious passion for one of her peers.

Holly has a headline show at The Workmans Cellar on June 8th. Tickets can be found here.

Here’s the vid for Holly’s latest single, Out Of Style:

Holly Munro online: Facebook / X (Twitter) / Instagram

You can read more from our extensive archive of Why I Love pieces from a wide array of artists on an even wider array of subjects, here.

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