Let's Eat Grandma's Jenny Hollingworth has been steadily refining her sound over the past decade, moving from the experimental to a more refined pop sensibility. Her latest solo venture, Quicksand Heart, finds her embracing 1980s new wave as a nostalgic backdrop for introspective songwriting.
Hollingworth's output with Let's Eat Grandma was always marked by its eclecticism, but Two Ribbons in 2022 hinted at a more subdued direction. Quicksand Heart reinforces this shift, exploring themes of grief and friendship disintegration set against the backdrop of a bygone era.
At first glance, Hollingworth's solo work may feel overly familiar, retreating into the past as much as it looks to the future. Yet, when she strikes on an irresistible melody, such as Every Ounce of Me, the results can be transcendent. The song finds a balance between the emotional intensity of Olivia Rodrigo and the Waterboys' more anthemic moments.
Hollingworth's greatest strength lies in her ability to blend disparate influences into something uniquely powerful. Her latest effort is no exception, reaching new heights with tracks like Appetite and Do You Still Believe in Me?. This archetypically perfect powerpop number finds Hollingworth expertly capturing the nostalgia of 80s new wave while infusing it with a modern sensibility.
Ultimately, Quicksand Heart serves as a testament to Jenny Hollingworth's growth as an artist. By harnessing her unique blend of eclecticism and melodic sensibility, she produces music that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable – a rare feat in the cutthroat world of contemporary pop.
Hollingworth's output with Let's Eat Grandma was always marked by its eclecticism, but Two Ribbons in 2022 hinted at a more subdued direction. Quicksand Heart reinforces this shift, exploring themes of grief and friendship disintegration set against the backdrop of a bygone era.
At first glance, Hollingworth's solo work may feel overly familiar, retreating into the past as much as it looks to the future. Yet, when she strikes on an irresistible melody, such as Every Ounce of Me, the results can be transcendent. The song finds a balance between the emotional intensity of Olivia Rodrigo and the Waterboys' more anthemic moments.
Hollingworth's greatest strength lies in her ability to blend disparate influences into something uniquely powerful. Her latest effort is no exception, reaching new heights with tracks like Appetite and Do You Still Believe in Me?. This archetypically perfect powerpop number finds Hollingworth expertly capturing the nostalgia of 80s new wave while infusing it with a modern sensibility.
Ultimately, Quicksand Heart serves as a testament to Jenny Hollingworth's growth as an artist. By harnessing her unique blend of eclecticism and melodic sensibility, she produces music that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable – a rare feat in the cutthroat world of contemporary pop.
She's got this amazing ability to take these different influences and mash them together into something super cohesive and powerful. I mean, every time I listen to it, I find myself getting lost in the melodies and just letting go 
. What I love most about her songwriting is that it's both personal and relatable - she's not afraid to dive into tough emotions like grief and friendship loss, but at the same time, you can't help but feel a sense of connection with what she's going through 
. It's like, she's speaking directly to your soul or something 
my anxiety has been super bad lately and songs like these literally resonate with me on a deeper level... anyway i went through a rough breakup last year and Quicksand Heart is literally the soundtrack to my healing process 
also, i'm so impressed how she blends different styles into one cohesive sound it's like she's got this magic touch 
and I gotta say, it's like she's distilling her emotions into these infectious 80s new wave vibes... not trying to be nostalgic just for the sake of it, but genuinely tapping into something real 
. every song has this effortless charm, especially 'Every Ounce of Me' which gives me chills 
. what I love most about her artistry is she doesn't sacrifice depth for catchiness
Every Ounce of Me gave me CHILLS 
and Appetite is like the perfect powerpop anthem 
Can't wait to listen to this album on repeat 
we drove all the way to the coast and saw some breathtaking sunsets 
. And have you ever noticed how good food from different regions can totally change your perspective on life? I had this incredible burrito in LA that made me realize I needed to start experimenting with new spice blends at home 
. Quicksand Heart is like that for Jenny Hollingworth's music - it's still got that Let's Eat Grandma eclecticism, but now she's distilling it into something really powerful 
.
She's got that 80s new wave vibe down pat, and yet she still manages to make it feel fresh & modern. Every Ounce of Me is giving me major Olivia Rodrigo vibes, but with a more anthemic Waterboys twist 
. It's not surprising that fans might initially think it feels a bit familiar, but trust me, each track has its own unique magic - from Every Ounce of Me to Appetite (that anthemic chorus gives me chills 
). What I think sets Hollingworth apart is her ability to blend all these different influences into something totally her own. It's like she's tapped into this special pop power that just feels both deeply personal and universally relatable... it's a rare feat in the music world, for sure! 
. But what really gets me is how she can make these nostalgic songs feel timeless... like 'Every Ounce of Me' - it's just ridiculously catchy 
. What I think sets her apart from other artists is how she blends all these different influences into this perfect pop-power sound 
what i love about Jenny's music is how she blends different styles to create something uniquely hers 
. The way she blends 80s new wave with modern sensibilities is just magic. And the lyrics on Appetite... *chef's kiss* it's like she's speaking directly to your soul 
. What I love most about this album, though, is how it feels both super personal and relatable to everyone else who's been through similar stuff. It's like she's given us all a big ol' hug from the past 
. I mean, Jenny Hollingworth's music is already super catchy and emotive, but going full-on new wave for her solo project? That's a bold move 
. Does she think she's going to be like The Bangles or something? 
I also love how she blends different influences - it's like she took all these cool things from the 80s and mashed them up into something new. But, at the same time, I can see how some people might find it overly familiar... yeah, what's her target audience again? 
Jenny Hollingworth is a genius, I mean who else can blend new wave and powerpop into something that sounds both retro and relatable? 
. And I'm all about it - Quicksand Heart is the perfect example of how not to be boring with pop music 
... I think what resonates with me about Jenny's latest album is how she manages to tap into those bittersweet feelings we all have, but don't always know how to express. Like, who hasn't felt that void when someone leaves or something falls apart? Her music is like a warm hug for your emotional mess. And honestly, I'm loving the way she blends old vibes with modern production - it's like she's taking us on a trip through her own memories 
. Overall, I think Quicksand Heart is a beautiful testament to her growth as an artist - it's like she's found this amazing balance between being personal and relatable at the same time 
.