Happy Diving – “Holy Ground” (Stereogum Premiere)

Happy Diving – “Holy Ground” (Stereogum Premiere)

On their 2014 debut LP Big World, Happy Diving practiced the art of raw, sludgy rock, and on their follow-up — the upcoming full-length Electric Soul Unity — it seems like they’ve mastered it. “Holy Ground,” their new album’s lead single, in a sub-two minute burst of noise and passion, built around slick riffs and Matt Berry’s gravelly howl. The San Francisco-bred band (whose members are now scattered up and down the West Coast) made the jump from Father/Daughter to Topshelf with last years’ 7″, and their ambitions seem to have made a similar leap. For their sophomore album, they once again worked with Bay Area producer Jack Shirley (Deafheaven, Joyce Manor), and he reins in all of their frantic energy into something that sounds potent and vital. Listen below.

Tracklist:
01 “Bigger World”
02 “Don’t Be Afraid Of Love”
03 “Holy Ground”
04 “Electric Soul Unity”
05 “Head Spell”
06 “Fantasy”
07 “Shed Light”
08 “Lost My Way”
09 “The Call, It Thunders”
10 “Pain Country”
11 “Unknown Feeling”
12 “River Will Flow”

Electric Soul Unity is out 8/19 via Topshelf Records. Pre-order it here.

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