Australian indie pop singer-songwriter Holly Wild has been making herself known through her blend of pop, electronic and folk stylings with big melodies and confessional lyrics. Inspired by other greats like Maggie Rogers, HAIM and The Aces, this upcoming sure-to-be-star brings her own defining sound to the table, complemented always by her incredible way with words and authentic storytelling. Over the past several years she's been releasing singles and building towards her debut album, and perhaps we can expect to see her newest offering ‘Hard to Love’ as part of that collection.

This sparkling indie single shimmers with warmth right from pressing play, channeling an almost nostalgic bedding in its pulsating tones and reflective attitude, falling somewhere between comforting and painful in its evident longing all at once. From the opening electric guitar strums that reverberate out into the minimal soundscape to the gentle synth-whirs that accompany it lightly, ‘Hard to Love’ places Holly’s elegant but emotional vocal performance front and centre, leaving each of her words lingering through your mind. The chorus absolutely bursts with an unexpected soaring though, cascading through synth bursts that feel like small fireworks, clashing drum beats and continued emphatic electric guitar. The second verse continues the striking beat amidst the previously more downbeat instrumentals, pushing the song forward with some momentum even whilst its words are burdened with a heaviness you can feel all the way through. Holly’s vocals continue to shine as ‘Hard to Love’ pushes along, with a bright indie tone and richness in each word propelled by her agile range, capturing your full attention and leaving you singing along too. There’s a constant balance in this three and a half minute progression though, constantly appreciative and filled with a love even through the labours it ensues, providing a journey that’s poignant but not consuming.

Amidst her familiar sound, Holly Wild sings in a confessional delivery you can’t help but adore, almost as though your eyes are scanning the page of someone’s secret diary or the intimate revelations of a friend trusting you with their struggles. Though you might feel her lines relate to that of a lover, Holly actually finds herself singing of the difficulties that come with being a parent, weighed down by under-appreciation but knowing conditional love as a parent is a necessity even through the hardships: ‘why do you make it so hard to love you?’ Many growing older have found themselves yearning for distance from their parents, but Holly’s aching lyric ‘I’m not asking for much, it’s just a smile that I’m needing’ reminds us all that at the end our parents have been through so much to provide and care for us, and the smallest of gestures can ultimately mean the most in return. With a little resentment buried in too, Holly very candidly opens up about thoughts that many parents may perhaps feel a little shame in revealing, with her singing that ‘everybody else gets you at your best, and I guess I get whatever’s left.’ Pained by the amount she’s pouring in to get nothing in return, Holly doesn’t shy away from allowing ‘Hard to Love’ to be a completely honest takeaway of what parenting can be like at times, detailing more of the low moments that don’t share the limelight with the highs for some reassurance to anyone else out there finding it a challenge to get by.

Check out ‘Hard to Love’ here to truly understand the way Holly has crafted a danceable tune ladened with a more personal narrative!

Written by: Tatiana Whybrow

Photo Credits: Unknown