Holy Forrest Expand Their Atmospheric Sound on Always Heart – Space
From Sydney’s vibrant inner-west indie scene, Holy Forrest return with Always Heart-Space, released March 13, 2026. Blending shoegaze haze, post-rock dynamics, and indie dream pop sensibility, the record reinforces the band’s reputation for expansive, emotionally immersive guitar music.
Holy Forrest formed as a collective of friends connected through Sydney’s alternative music community. That collaborative spirit remains central to the band’s identity. The lineup surrounding the EP includes Spencer on vocals and guitar, Harshiv on guitar, Jordan on bass, Zachary Bacon on drums and backing vocals, and Marco on guitar.
It is worth noting that Lily, who had previously been associated with the group, did not participate in the creation of this EP and has since moved on to other artistic projects. On Always Heart -Space, drummer Zachary Bacon takes on additional vocal duties, providing backing vocals and singing lead on the tracks “Everything” and “Thickskin.”
Their sound sits comfortably at the intersection of several traditions within modern alternative rock. The shoegaze influence is immediately recognizable through the band’s shimmering walls of guitars and reverb-drenched vocals. At the same time, the music often unfolds with the gradual crescendos and wide emotional arcs associated with post-rock.
Always Heart-Space continues this approach, expanding the band’s sonic palette while remaining faithful to the atmosphere that first defined their music. Although detailed track information remains limited, the project clearly builds on the band’s earlier releases, emphasizing large textural guitar arrangements, drifting melodies, and immersive soundscapes.
Vocally, Holy Forrest often blur the line between lead voice and instrumentation. The vocals sit deep within the mix, floating through layers of reverb and guitar haze rather than dominating the foreground. This approach reinforces the dreamlike quality of the band’s sound, a hallmark of contemporary shoegaze.
Instrumentally, the group leans heavily into atmosphere. Multiple guitars create shifting sonic textures that move between gentle ambience and powerful distortion. Bass and drums anchor the music with steady momentum, allowing the arrangements to swell gradually into emotional peaks.
There is also a strong sense of nostalgia running through the band’s aesthetic. The melodies often carry a wistful tone, evoking the reflective mood that characterizes much of the modern dream pop revival. Yet the band avoids sounding retro, instead combining these influences with a modern production approach that highlights space and depth.
In spirit, Holy Forrest’s music resonates with artists such as Slowdive, DIIV, and Nothing, while also reflecting the broader momentum of Australia’s thriving indie and shoegaze scene. Cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane have produced a new wave of atmospheric guitar bands in recent years, and Holy Forrest stand comfortably within that movement.
With Always Heart -Space, the band deliver a record that feels immersive rather than immediate. The songs invite the listener to sink into their layered textures, where guitars expand outward and melodies drift through waves of sound.
It is the kind of release that unfolds gradually, revealing new details with each listen - a luminous blend of shoegaze atmosphere, post-rock emotion, and indie introspection.
© Thusblog
