HEAD FULL OF HOLES, the latest indie rock release from the creative minds of Los Angeles duo ill peach on June 27th, 2023, under Hardly Art Records, is a lyrical exploration of nostalgia and the deceptive beauty and pain it can often mask. With an infectious guitar riff, a propulsive drumbeat, and the harmonious vocals of duo members James and Jessica, this tune is a masterclass in musical storytelling.
HEAD FULL OF HOLES takes a captivating dive into the murky depths of our pasts, showing how we hang onto and manipulate our memories, clinging to them until they become distorted versions of their original selves. The duo confessed to confronting these experiences during therapy sessions over the past year, adding a layer of authenticity and emotional resonance to their artistic output. Their influences from a trip to London seep into the composition, with vibes reminiscent of Coldplay, My Bloody Valentine, and Radiohead.
The track’s lyrical prowess is evident from the get-go, as the listener is greeted with poetic and relatable lines like, “I can’t wait for you all night, Cause the days are getting shorter.” The chorus is an earworm, repeating the potent phrase, “Got a head full of holes,” in a series of variants that instill a sense of melancholy and longing.
The duo’s ability to paint vibrant pictures with their words is further showcased in lines like, “These memories burn artificial lines In my mind.” The vivid imagery here encapsulates the song’s overall theme—our minds’ power to alter memories, making them seem more radiant or more painful than they perhaps were.
There is a sense of restlessness in the song as it explores the complex relationship we have with our past. It’s an audible journey into the depths of personal history and the human tendency to remember things as we want them to be, not as they were. This introspection is wrapped in a melodically pleasing package that does more than just sound good—it feels real.
ill peach’s HEAD FULL OF HOLES is a thought-provoking ode to human memory, and an anthem for those embarking on their own healing journeys.