Joanne Shaw Taylor – Hold Of My Heart (2024)
Known for her dynamic, confident and bold stage presence, Joanne Shaw Taylor effortlessly ensnares the senses of any audience regardless of whether she plays at a festival or an intimate live venue. Yet, it is not only her shows garnering a loyal following, her chart-topping, critically acclaimed melodies have international audiences hitting the repeat button. Earlier this year, Joanne Shaw Taylor released her well-received ten-track album Heavy Soul – a release showcasing her versatility, innovation and unique fusion of various genres. Today, we take a gander at another of her unique offerings with ‘Hold Of My Heart’.
With a strong foundation in blues-rock, ‘Hold Of My Heart’ retains the hard-hitting rock tone of ‘Wishing Well’ but with a slick of Americana clinging to the track. Recorded and produced by Kevin Shirley, ‘Hold Of My Heart’ is an almost rambunctious flood of pounding drums and scorching guitar perfect for any blues-rock venue or festival. The thing is, just as the single is a twirl of harmonic kaleidoscopic sound – like a beautiful sonic tapestry – Shaw Taylor’s guitar drives the song with prominent individuality. The powerful riffs heard in her searing guitar solo solidify Shaw Taylor’s natural talent for her art.
One aspect that makes this track exceptional is the inclusion of a haunting violin. Performed by violinist Sav Madigan, her indie-folk strings bring a delicate sense of obscurity pushing the boundaries of country rock. Another element I find intriguing is how the interplay between Madigan and Shaw Taylor eloquently captures the theme of friendship in ‘Hold Of My Heart’. Yet, while there is a harmonic symphony of instrumentation, a hint of vulnerability exists further prompting the song’s message. Joanne Shaw Taylor explains:
“This song is about telling a good friend that you actually like them as more than a friend and realising if only for your own sake and the sake of honesty in a friendship to finally tell them…”
In addition to the single, Joanne Shaw Taylor released an official music video for ‘Hold Of My Heart’. You can view the video below or on her YouTube channel.
Find out more about Joanne Shaw Taylor on her official website, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Spotify.
Discover more Americana tunes on The Other Side Reviews Americana playlist:
