total tommy, bruises Review

by Rudy Palma

In her debut album, bruises, total tommy—a.k.a. Jess Holt—delivers a vocal performance as compelling as it is vulnerable. Holt’s voice emerges as the driving force behind the raw and expressive nature of the record, channeling an intense array of emotions that range from biting resentment to tender love. With her captivating tone, precise breath control, and emotionally nuanced delivery, Holt ensures that every word she sings hits like a candid confession shared directly with the listener.

From the opening track, “Adeline,” Holt allures us to her vocal stage with a hushed, almost secretive tone, inviting listeners into an intimate conversation. Her voice here is soft but firm, a gentle coaxing that builds connection without demanding it. The way she utilizes her breath to create space around each lyric gives the track an open feel, as though she’s allowing herself—and us—time to process each thought. Holt’s breath control is particularly noteworthy, maintaining an even softness while injecting subtle moments of vulnerability that make her delivery all the more poignant.

When we move to “Losing Out,” Holt shows another facet of her vocal pallet. Here, she shifts from the intimacy of “Adeline” to a rougher, almost snarling tone that channels her frustration and angst. There’s a grit in her voice that sounds unfiltered, and in these moments, her emotional honesty shines. Holt leans into her lower register, giving the track a grittier, more grounded energy. Her vocal inflections underscore the song’s bitter edge, each phrase delivered with a controlled intensity that makes the listener feel every ounce of the underlying resentment.

On “REAL,” Holt exhibits an impressive control over her dynamics. She navigates between soft, almost ethereal verses and a powerful, pulsing chorus that showcases her full chest voice. The transition is seamless, showcasing her ability to shift emotional gears while maintaining vocal consistency. Her pitch is rock-solid, even in the moments where the song builds to its most explosive peaks. The chorus feels anthemic, driven by Holt’s voice, which embodies both vulnerability and a steely resolve. It’s this contrast—the softness of her verses paired with the strength of her choruses—that makes her vocal performance here so magnetic.

With “SODA,” Holt leans into a nostalgic warmth, her vocals shimmering like sunlight through leaves on a late summer afternoon. She employs a delicate vibrato that adds a touch of wistfulness, making the melody feel like it is being cradled by a cherished memory. Her breathy delivery adds to this atmosphere, giving the track a sense of intimacy that feels both fragile and sincere. Holt’s voice drifts effortlessly over the hazy guitar lines, and her phrasing—particularly in the way she lingers on certain syllables—evokes the fleeting thrill of a summer romance. It’s in these gentle touches that Holt’s vocal maturity becomes evident; she knows when to pull back and let her voice simply exist within the space of the song.

“ribs” offers perhaps the most vulnerable vocal moment on the album. Holt’s voice is stripped of any pretense, laid bare for the listener as she sings about a friend struggling with anorexia. Her tone is unwavering, filled with empathy and a sense of loyalty. What stands out is her control over her breath; every note is carefully placed, yet it never feels calculated. Instead, it’s as though she’s holding her friend’s pain with the utmost care. The softness in her delivery—combined with the deliberate pauses she takes between phrases—allows the emotional weight of her words to sink in fully.

“microdose” shows Holt’s vocal versatility truly shines with a blend of sultry tension and bold intensity. Her breathy verses build anticipation, while her forceful, almost reckless delivery in the chorus captures the euphoria and risk of a relationship teetering on the edge. Her sense of rhythm is impeccable here, as she navigates through the song’s shifting beats with precision. Holt’s ability to maintain control, even in moments where her vocals become more unrestrained, speaks to her technical skill and her deep connection to the music.

The grunge-inspired “SPIDER” is Holt’s channeling raw power. Her voice cuts through the heavy instrumentation with rhythmic confidence that can be heard and felt. There’s a swagger in her delivery, a sense that she’s fully embracing both the grit and the humor of the situation. The rasp in her voice adds texture, enhancing the track’s chaotic energy. It’s a vocal performance that feels unapologetically bold, as if Holt is daring anyone to try and hold her back. Her control over her vocal timbre—shifting from sharp, almost biting tones to smoother, melodic lines—gives the song a dynamic quality that keeps the listener hooked.

Towards the end of the album, tracks like “Girlfriend” and “Amsterdam” bring more nuanced vocal performances. On “Girlfriend,” Holt’s voice soars, filled with brightness and joy. Her phrasing is playful, and the way she emphasizes certain words conveys the sheer delight of being in love. Meanwhile, “Amsterdam” is more introspective, her voice taking on a hushed, almost reverent tone. The subtle vibrato she employs adds a layer of vulnerability, giving the song an intimate, unguarded feel. It’s this careful attention to vocal detail that makes each of these tracks stand out in their own right.

The closing track, “Shark Attacks,” is where Holt’s vocal maturity truly comes to the forefront. There’s a quiet ferocity in her delivery, a sense that she’s looking back on her journey without needing to tie everything up neatly. Her tone is reflective, her breath control steady as she lets the song unfold naturally. There’s no rush to reach a conclusion—instead, Holt allows her voice to linger, leaving us with the sense that her story is far from over.

Overall, Holt’s vocals are the beating heart of bruises. Her tone is rich and dynamic, her control over breath and pitch impeccable, and her emotional expression unflinchingly honest. Whether she’s half-whispering secrets, belting out choruses, or carefully navigating delicate moments, Holt’s voice is a testament to her ability to convey the full spectrum of human emotion. With bruises, Jess Holt has not only crafted an impressive debut but has also proven herself to be a vocalist with the power to captivate and connect deeply with her audience.