IOTA – Hollow

“Hollow” is the latest single by IOTA, an outstanding Bristol-based alternative rock quartet. It’s their first piece of work in 2024, dealing with depression and mental health problems. For those who’re stumbling upon this brilliant band for the first time, IOTA combines the fundamentals of alternative rock sound with some of the finest properties borrowed from many different but complementary music genres. Perhaps grunge comes to mind first, but you’ll undoubtedly notice shoegaze and indie rock elements as well. They use all these additional sonic ingredients as more than necessary enhancements, accentuations, decorations, and other details to uplift this track on an entirely new level while simultaneously remaining loyal to the primary sonic direction. Therefore, these experimentations with many different but complementary music styles resulted in a catchy, hypnotic, memorable, ethereal composition that will unquestionably appeal to your ears whatever genre you prefer.

As soon as you press play, you’ll notice how IOTA thoroughly planned everything while writing, composing, arranging, and producing their latest single. “Hollow” arrives with a perfect structure stacked with many segments, brilliant ideas, and exceptional musicianship. Their experience, knowledge, skills, and talent shine during every moment, ensuring nothing but a pleasant listening experience. You’ll notice how the outstanding vocal performance acts as a centerpiece, emphasizing everything IOTA intended to do with this track. The impressive vocal range commands attention and guides the listening apparatus by skillfully balancing low, mid, and high notes. These vocal harmonies will immediately grab your attention and draw you even deeper into this fine piece of sonic artistry. In the meantime, the guitar interplay shapes such a rich and luxurious ambiance. You’ll notice how the tastefully assembled, heavy, powerful riffs resonate on one side, while the other shines with themes, melodies, harmonies, and other sonic maneuvers. It’s nearly mindblowing how the vocals and guitars pair together harmoniously throughout the entire track.

IOTA also thought about the low-ends and rhythmic patterns. You’ll hear how the equally intricate, vividly hearable, distorted basslines roar beneath the guitars, offering more than necessary heaviness, clarity, and depth while binding all the orchestrations with drums. The experienced drummer keeps everything in line while dictating groove and tempo by delivering dynamic, well-accentuated beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics. Every band member plays a significant role in this sonic equation, ensuring a tremendous listening experience for even the pickiest listeners. IOTA is an incredible band that always showcases all its abilities to the max, and there is no doubt that they poured heart and soul into this song. “Hollow” showcases how alternative rock can still sound fresh and unique, mainly because these folks always break the rules and shapeshift the boundaries of the genre. You should put IOTA on your radar immediately. The single is available on all streaming platforms. Don’t miss it!