Holly Blair - “Used To Dying”

One of the most magnificent aspects of running a blog is the ability for a song to sway our tastes in music. For example, when we first heard the latest track from Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Holly Blair, we knew that it was well outside of our usual bounds; however, there is something openly astonishing about “Used To Dying” that has left us completely enthralled.

The tune begins with an electronically-driven beat that provides a lo-fi and moderate pulse to the arrangement. A thick, vintage-tinged bass paves the rhythmic path as though it has been transplanted directly from Lou Reed’s early ‘70s catalogue. Then, rounding out the sound is a layer of dreamy backing vocals, which pour an almost synth-like pad into the sonic space.

But where “Used To Dying” truly wins us over is within the Maggie Rogers-ness of Blair’s vocal performance. She remains primarily within her upper register and, for a modern pop song, her voice is uncharacteristically raw, without pandering to the utilization of digital manipulation or any obvious use of autotune. And while this might not be a big deal for most listeners, it causes us to believe every word that she delivers to our ears.

That said, “Used To Dying” is not without its electronic features, as the entire song is host to a myriad of digital remnants. From its programmed and dazzling beat, to the multiple flourishes of synth, the song is, most assuredly, not our usual brand of raw, stripped-back folk music; however, we have fallen in love with it just the same, which you will do as well, once you’ve heard it. This is the part where you press play.

-HD