What makes When the Storms Would Come by Holy Holy notable?

The album received positive critical acclaim, with particular praise from publications such as NME and The Guardian for its emotional depth and sonic experimentation. It charted on the ARIA Albums Chart, signifying a strong entry into the Australian music scene and helping to solidify Holy Holy's reputation as rising stars in indie rock. When the Storms Would Come marked Holy Holy's debut album, following their emergence from the Australian indie rock scene. Released in early 2015, the album arrived after a series of well-received singles, establishing the duo as a noteworthy presence in the music landscape and setting the stage for their future projects.

How many songs are on When the Storms Would Come?

When the Storms Would Come has 10 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

When the Storms Would Come

Holy Holy · 2015

43 min · 10 tracks · indie rock

Lush melodies intertwine with introspective lyrics, creating an ethereal soundscape that balances melancholy and hope.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Sentimental and Monday — This opening track captures the album's essence with its blend of reflective lyrics and atmospheric instrumentation, setting a contemplative tone.
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A Heroine — The song stands out for its haunting melody and poignant storytelling, exploring themes of love and identity with a raw vulnerability.
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You Cannot Call for Love Like a Dog — This track showcases Holy Holy's lyrical prowess, using metaphor to convey longing while maintaining an engaging musicality that resonates throughout.
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Pretty Strays for Hopeless Lovers — A centerpiece of the album, it delves into complex emotions with sweeping arrangements that elevate the narrative arc of the record.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends lush melodies with introspective lyrics, creating a solid but somewhat conventional indie rock experience.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied rhythms and dynamics.
Several tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in 'A Heroine' and 'Wanderer'.
The use of atmospheric instrumentation, including reverb-laden guitars and synths, contributes to an ethereal sound throughout the record.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

A Heroine

The narrative reveals a shift from admiration to self-reflection, exposing vulnerabilities beneath romantic ideals.

This transition deepens the emotional impact by contrasting idealized love with personal struggles, enriching the song’s thematic layers.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Sentimental and Monday 4:16
2 Outside of the Heart of It 3:33
3 A Heroine 4:00
4 History 3:59
5 If I Were You 4:01
6 You Cannot Call for Love Like a Dog 5:28
7 Wanderer 4:11
8 Holy Gin 3:38
9 Pretty Strays for Hopeless Lovers 6:07
10 The Crowd 4:22

What to play next

Listen next

Paint

2017

Go back to

The Pacific EP

2014

Full Holy Holy discography Artists like Holy Holy

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata