Review by Ritchie Birnie for MPM
If you thought Kris Barras had turned his back on the blues to follow a heavier and much grittier path then Hollow Souls have just slapped your stupid mouth shut with the force of one of 2024s riffs from “Halo Effect”.
Kris was so entrenched in the blues he was never going to step away from the genre so he tied together a tight as hell studio band of drummer Joe Harris and bass player Leighton Allen. He then put out a call to his KBB backing vocalist Phoebe Jane and that was when the magic flowed.
Hollow Souls have taken the sum of its parts and thrown out a Blues machine that is astounding. The EP starts with “Borderline” and what an introduction, this is as Deep South as it comes and it has that whisky drenched blues groove dragged right up to date and with the addition of Jared James Nicholls guitar work there is just too much bang for your buck to say no too. What a way to introduce you to this band.
Next up is “bad things” and take a bow Chris Tapp ( The Cold Stares). He works so well with the sultry tinges from Phoebe. She takes the song to its heights as Chris builds the swampy feel. Another banger.
The tempo is kept at full throttle on ” I Need the Fire” and boy has Phoebe stood up from those backing vocals, she has taken hold of that central mic stand as she is not letting go. I cannot wait to hear these songs on the band’s upcoming tour. This is a new band you want to catch at their inception and based on this EP there is no glass ceiling that this talent will not smash through.
As if we have not been gifted with enough blues beauty already we have the incredibly talented Elles Bailey taking on vocal duty on “Burn it to the Ground” and she brings every bit of her class, talent and X factor to the party. This is a whole new blues right here. The Blues menu card has every box ticked but this is another level altogether.
Now to what became my instant favourite track in “Shotgun”. This has Jon Harvey (Monster Truck) on vocals and this is Bonamassa with balls. This has a heavy edge but fits the groove of this EP so well. This is power Blues that demands your attention.
The EP finishes with “Chasing Ghosts” and when it comes to Kris and slower numbers you know how powerful he can be. Anyone who has witnessed “Watching Over Me” live knows exactly what I am talking about and this track is no different.
A simple song but beautifully portrayed by this fledgling band. Simply put this is a stunning song that vies for one of the best written by Kris.
Hollow Souls debut is small in number but huge in stature. The fact that Kris is involved will escalate the band but I can assure you this is no thrown together side project. I can see Hollow Souls far exceeding what has come before for Kris. This is the Blues outlet he needs whilst his heavier side is breaking new ground elsewhere. Do not forget the name.
Hollow Souls features Kris Barras (guitar, vocal). Phoebe Jane (lead
vocals) and Josiah J Manning (bass).
Fans can pre-order the EP on vinyl and CD from this official link –
https://shop.hollowsouls.co.uk/
Tickets for Hollow Souls’ UK tour are available from –
https://www.thegigcartel.com/Artists-profiles/Kris-Barras-Hollow-Souls.htm
