A Los Angeles, USA-based songwriter, guitarist and producer, Eric Cannata is new to our blog thanks to his solo debut album, Holding Onto The Holy.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by Chase Hart

Taking influence from the likes of Roy Orbison and The Velvet Underground, there’s a timelessness to Eric’s sound which is introduced beautifully by the soulful and nostalgic There You Go Again. The vocals are the star of the show, delivered soulfully against a backdrop of soft rock. They truly come into their own during a pleading chorus.

It’s You lightens things with a bright, smouldering and psychedelic number before the second of the album’s four singles, The Wave, proves an early highlight. It brings with it a percussive groove which somewhat disguises the macabre of its lyrics, which tells the story of a devastating tidal wave hitting California.

Title track Holding Onto The Holy brings a moment of quiet, piano-led reflection. Over & Over injects some drama into proceedings with a cinematic number. Losing Patience is chill and philosophical while I Still Love You is delicately romantic. Fruit is another highlight thanks to its vibrant pop. Crystal Ball is soft and melancholic before Like You Do closes the album in heart-warming fashion.

Though this is his solo debut, the production and song-writing on display across the album’s ten tracks show that Eric is a seasoned professional. He balances introspection with narrative beautifully in this collection, showing us plenty of himself and giving the listener enough to relate to.

Holding Onto The Holy is out now via Industry Houseplant. A limited edition vinyl and exclusive t-shirt bundle available via his website. You can give it a listen below.