By: Staff
total tommy’s 2024 album bruises is a bold, unfiltered dive into raw emotion and unapologetic self-expression. It’s a sonic shift for Jess Holt, who trades her previous electropop polish for a grungier, alt-pop edge that thrives on tension, grit, and melody. Each track feels like a page torn from a journal—messy, real, and bursting with cathartic energy.
The album wastes no time making an impression. “Losing Out” kicks things off with a punch, channeling betrayal into an angsty, guitar-driven anthem that demands release. Tracks like “Spider” push the production into heavier territory, balancing sharp lyricism with an irresistible edge, while “Ghost” takes a haunting turn, its somber mood lingering like smoke. Elsewhere, “microdose” sets the record’s tone with layered instrumentals and restrained intensity, acting as a bridge between the tender and turbulent.
What makes bruises stand out is its refusal to hide behind metaphor. “Ribs” is especially striking, addressing the pain of watching someone struggle with an eating disorder with a raw, heartbreaking honesty. On the lighter side, “Girlfriend” captures the all-consuming high of a new relationship, while “Plus One” strips everything back with refreshingly blunt lyricism.
From beginning to end, bruises feels alive—gritty guitars, soaring vocals, and introspective storytelling collide to create an experience that’s as vulnerable as it is defiant. Jess Holt doesn’t just share her scars—she wears them proudly, turning life’s chaos into something fearless and beautiful. With this record, total tommy not only embraces reinvention but proves that honesty, no matter how messy, hits the hardest.
Check out this latest release and listen to more on Spotify & YouTube
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