On his latest single Holding Fast, DrewJam dives into a slow-burning rock sound that’s introspective without being dull, poetic without slipping into melodrama. What starts with a gentle piano line builds steadily into something far more impactful — layering ambient textures, real drums, and vocals that keep their raw edge.
The song plays like a reflection in motion, circling themes of memory, emotional dislocation, and the need to keep yourself steady through change. There’s real clarity in the lyrics: “Dreamers dream but this dreamer’s late for me,” and “in the night she’s brighter still” stick out as lines that do more with less. It’s emotional, but not overcooked, and as the track grows in volume, it doesn’t lose its grounding.
Ross Gardner’s drums arrive late in the track and make the shift from quiet to crashing feel earned, while Max Hopwood’s mix keeps the layers spacious and clear. The production avoids the usual studio polish, keeping it close to something that feels honest, even cinematic.
Fans of Elbow or early Snow Patrol will find a familiar tone here, but Holding Fast doesn’t feel like a copy. It’s a natural step in DrewJam’s run of recent singles – and maybe his most affecting yet.
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