Hosana - Hosana EP

Hosana

Hosana EP
self-released; 2019
​
4.1 out of 5 - TOP ALBUM

By Matt Jensen

Hosana is an experimental indie band from Toronto, ON. They released their eponymous EP Hosana which contains three songs. The band is one that has a unique signature sound.

They start with “Gurz” which goes in all sorts of unexpected directions. The song starts with a blast of ominous white noise and the band rocking out. When I heard that I was expecting a doom metal/shoegaze type of song but that’s not what I got.

The band within thirty seconds drops the fuzz complete and lands on the acoustic, slight jazzy verse not too far away from a band like Grizzly Bear. They certainly had my attention at this point. They go back into the fuzzy shoegaze and then back to verse which glides effortlessly into a soaring chorus.

​As the song progressed they went into new territory around the four-minute mark. There is an absolutely lush and sublime section that melds orchestral strings, haunting vocals and jazzy drums. That is how you open. They impressed the heck out of me with that initial tune. After that I was wondering what else to expect from the band.

“Foggis” was perhaps a little less surprising. The song is very lush and atmospheric. So much in fact I was getting some serious Sigur Rós and Bon Iver vibes. The song builds quite beautifully with angelic harmonies making the song have an otherworldly texture to it. I would also add the build is subtle and layered. There is this climax around the the three-minute mark which does reach some epic heights with falsetto vocals.

“UkuSpuku” is perhaps the best yet. This song felt a little more in Radiohead territory than Sigur Rós, at least at first. Anyway you slice this it is a haunting yet beautiful track. The crescendos also are the most epic yet. I would also say the peaks of this song are just huge and as soon as the song felt a little conventional they changed it up again.

​If you enjoy bands like Radiohead, Grizzly Bear, Sigur Rós and other like-minded bands this is essential new listening. There is still a lot of the year left but I would say this would be in my number one EP slot from a new band in 2020. Highly recommended.

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