We Speak Music

Holy Basil Delivers Masterful Tune ‘The Outside’

Published

2 years ago

August 10, 2024

Holy Basil, a visionary artist from the sun-soaked Gold Coast of Australia, makes a triumphant return with her latest single, “The Outside.” Following the success of her debut track “Over The Edge” in March 2024, which saw her embarking on a whirlwind of performances across America, Holy Basil continues to push musical boundaries with her distinctive genre, “Theatronic.” This term, coined by the artist herself, perfectly encapsulates the unique fusion of electronica, ethereal soundscapes, and the dramatic flair of musical theatre that characterizes her work.

Produced by Alex Kewley of Altitude Music Studio, “The Outside” is a sonic masterpiece that effortlessly blends creative soundscapes with cinematic flair. The track is anchored by a driving bass guitar, while the synths and keyboards dance with innovation, providing a lush bed for Holy Basil’s mesmerizing vocals. The result is a deeply engaging aural tapestry that envelops the listener in a world of emotion and sound.

Drawing inspiration from avant-garde icons like Björk, Kate Bush, Grimes, and David Bowie, Holy Basil crafts music that lingers long after the final note fades. Her ability to transport listeners into a sensory realm is a testament to her artistry and vision. “The Outside” is more than just a song; it’s an experience that resonates on multiple levels.

Holy Basil’s journey as an artist began in 2020 when she self-produced her debut EP from the confines of her bedroom. This passion and raw talent quickly propelled her into the spotlight, culminating in a performance of her sophomore EP at the Home of the Arts (HOTA) on the Gold Coast in 2022. Her music is deeply personal, often serving as a form of therapy, especially during moments of emotional turbulence. “The Outside” is a reflection of this introspective process, with lyrics that echo a longing for a simpler, more innocent time—a desire to escape the chaos of the modern world and retreat to the comfort of childhood memories.

The songwriting for “The Outside” was an organic process, with the melody and lyrics evolving hand in hand. Holy Basil’s ability to tackle life’s biggest questions with relatable vulnerability is one of her greatest strengths as a songwriter. Her music offers solace and a sense of connection, making “The Outside” not just a listening experience, but a journey into the heart of human emotion.

In “The Outside,” Holy Basil has crafted a track that is both innovative and deeply personal, solidifying her place as a rising star in the world of music. This latest release not only showcases her growth as an artist but also cements her status as a true visionary, capable of blending genres and emotions into a cohesive and compelling whole. As Holy Basil continues to evolve, her music remains a beacon of creativity and emotional depth, inviting listeners to join her on a journey through the landscapes of sound and soul.

We Speak Music

Col Darcy Unveils New Single ‘Pay Up’

Published

20 hours ago

August 4, 2026

Philomena Marie

Col Darcy’s ‘Pay Up’ arrives with the calm authority of an artist who has already learned that longevity is its own form of victory. The second single from ‘Redemption’, his forthcoming album, is a composed piece of independent hip-hop that places persistence, ambition and personal conviction at its centre. Rather than presenting success as spectacle, Darcy approaches it as something accumulated slowly, through experience, discipline and faith in one’s own direction.

That sense of earned perspective has been central to Darcy’s work from the beginning. As Caper, he drew national attention with ‘How Would You Like To Be Me?’, a politically charged anti-racism song whose influence eventually extended into cinema. Alongside ‘Opportunity’, the track appeared in Netflix’s A Second Chance: Rivals!, bringing Darcy’s writing to an audience well beyond the usual confines of Australian hip-hop. Yet his subsequent career has remained grounded in independence, with the acclaimed ‘Beautiful Hopeless’ further establishing his commitment to thoughtful writing and considered craft.

‘Pay Up’ continues that trajectory while revealing an artist interested in the emotional economics of perseverance. Darcy writes from the perspective of someone who has experienced the slow rewards of staying the course. The lyrics use sharp wordplay and layered metaphor to turn a familiar idea into something more personal. His delivery is particularly effective for its restraint. There is no need to overstate the message when the voice behind it sounds as though it has lived through the argument already.

The song also reflects the wider concerns of ‘Redemption’, a record shaped by travel, fatherhood, gratitude and renewed self-awareness. Much of the album was recorded in Bali, and the island’s atmosphere reportedly helped cultivate its more contemplative dimensions. That background lends ‘Pay Up’ an intriguing duality. It is a song about ambition, but not restless ambition. Its confidence feels less like hunger for external validation and more like an acceptance that the journey itself has meaning.

What emerges is a track that understands hip-hop as both music and testimony. Darcy’s influences, from Tupac Shakur and Eminem to Kendrick Lamar, belong to a lineage in which personal narrative can become social observation and self-examination can become communal language. ‘Pay Up’ honours that tradition while remaining contemporary in its presentation. As a statement of intent for ‘Redemption’, it suggests an artist who has found greater clarity without sacrificing his edge, and who understands that the most durable kind of success is the kind you build yourself.