Follow Joe Holt
Joe Holt is the artist who released the song “Not Satisfying”, which I reviewed back in March 2022. That track has been featured on the Best Indie Songs Ever playlist ever since. So, when I saw his name in my submissions queue, the chorus of “Not Satisfying” instantly started playing in my head—like a distant yet comforting memory that isn’t so far away in the grand timeline of life. At the time, Joe was discovered by our blogger friend Susbidi, who featured him on her indie-folk playlist with over 6,500 followers, giving Joe much-deserved exposure. Yes, dear artists, bloggers often know each other and collaborate behind the scenes: Susanne is a great friend of mine!
Good news: Joe is currently working on his fifth studio album, titled “I Love You, Say It Back”, and he’s back with a new single, “Wanting More”. It’s a bit of a puzzling song at first listen due to its unconventional structure, which Joe himself explained:
“The song is in 6, but the refrain line is a measure of 7, representing the ‘more!‘”
How clever is that? Without diving too deep into technical details, (music should remain accessible, after all), this simply refers to the number of beats in a measure, which is usually four but can vary depending on the genre. Speaking of genres, let’s talk about that.
“Wanting More” is an indie-folk gem with a subtle gospel undertone. Its slow tempo encourages reflection, as if time pauses for a little over four minutes. By the end, you’re left… wanting more! Yet, the song already exceeds today’s increasingly shrinking standard runtime, designed to please algorithms. What? Haven’t you noticed that most songs nowadays rarely go beyond three minutes?
This is precisely what I love about Joe Holt. He takes his time. And he’s absolutely right to do so. He’s been through a lot, having faced some incredibly tough challenges, including a past struggle with alcoholism and a heartbreaking breakup. Life hasn’t been kind to him, but he’s a shining example of how one can rise again and achieve amazing things. With beautiful, comforting, and soulful vocals, and an incredible production quality with loads of details, this song is a must-have! I’ve often written that music is the best remedy for life’s hardships, and this song has the power to heal wounds. It inspires motivation in those who may have settled for less. Why not aim higher? Why not want more?
