Hollie Rogers is a new name to me, but one I will take great interest in the future on the evidence of this melodic and insightful work
It’s a very accomplished and varied album, from an artist who has been compared to Joni Mitchel and Joan Armatrading (although on the rockier songs, I hear distinct echoes of Cher). The songs are universally strong, and relatable—songs of self-discovery and awareness, delivered with honesty and heart.
The title track is a neat mid-tempo, pop song, that gives a little appetiser of the riches to come:
I’ve been trying to get myself outta trouble, I gotta Criminal heart
And I’m aware how my actions hurt others, I got a criminal heart
Twelve songs, all very strong in melody and lyrics, devoid of filler. Surely that’s what you want in an album? Even with that high watermark, on the work as a whole, some tracks do stand out.
‘Strange’ is a warped, funny, sideways look at life and love, with some great slide guitar. ‘Love’, is a much more gritty look at affairs of heart, with Hollie’s voice at its most emotive. ‘Sinner’ allows Hollie to show her jazz side, which she does with great aplomb. ‘Bring Me Some Peace’ is the songwriter at her most confessional and self-aware, with struggles and therapy, turmoil and self-conciliation.
‘City of Colour’ recounts the artist’s first experience visiting the big city on her own, with feelings of alienation, guilt, loneliness, and a degree of acceptance. That’s a lot to encapsulate in four minutes, yet it’s a track I keep going back to, and getting new thoughts on each play. This one is worth the admission alone.
And he asks how it is I could ever be lonely, in this place where so many people have it much worse than me.
And the people come and go, and I wonder how they know, where they’re going, what they’re doing, cause I don’t
Cause the life I chose, only left me breathless
And I know how this goes, living young and restless
But ooh now I see
When artists of the stature of Susanne Vega, Beth Neilson Chapman, and Ralph McTell laud praise on a singer – songwriter, you sit up and take notice. ‘Criminal Heart’ is the album that proves talent, knows talent.
Hollie Rogers is a star waiting on the rise.
Physical copies of the album can be ordered direct from the artist’s Big Cartel Store.