[REVIEW] J Holmes : Ballads (EP)

 J Holmes - Ballads (EP)

“Ballads” is the brand new heartfelt, acoustic EP by Tokyo based artist “J Holmes”. Featuring six evocative tracks, this project blends folk, country, and orchestral influences to craft a deeply emotional and story-driven listening experience. But Ballads is more than just music — it's also a charitable endeavor. Proceeds from the EP are being donated to an animal sanctuary in Tokyo, giving each listen and purchase a meaningful purpose beyond the music. You can stream and support the cause directly here: https://jholmes.bandcamp.com/album/ballads 

Track 1: Tiger Valley

Opening the EP, “Tiger Valley” immediately sets the emotional tone with its blend of warm, country-style vocals, delicate finger-picked guitar, and sweeping orchestral string arrangements. The song feels like the beginning of a folk tale — rich in setting, character, and conflict — as it introduces us to a mysterious place, a wandering stranger, and a quiet call for salvation.

Lyrically, it’s both poetic and emotionally raw. Lines like “show me what you're fighting for” and “do not let me go” echo themes of vulnerability, longing, and the search for meaning in uncertain times. The arrangement is cinematic yet intimate, and the storytelling is vivid without being overly literal. As a first track, “Tiger Valley” gracefully invites listeners into the narrative landscape of the EP, promising a journey that’s both sonically lush and emotionally resonant.

Track 2: Born Stiff

“Born Stiff” picks up the pace from the introspective tone of the opening track, bringing a brighter, more urgent energy to the EP. Right from the start, the track introduces a driving rhythm, propelled by brisk acoustic strumming and emotive, gravel-tinged vocals. The sound still carries J Holmes’ signature warmth, but now with a touch of defiance and momentum — a forward motion that mirrors the song’s lyrical journey.

Thematically, “Born Stiff” leans into coming-of-age storytelling. There’s a sense of reckoning with identity, struggle, and quiet resilience, all wrapped in open-hearted choruses that breathe with space and emotional release. The chorus itself feels expansive, as if sung under an open sky — a moment of clarity or surrender.

There’s a clear influence from Americana and heartland rock traditions here, with echoes of Bruce Springsteen in the song’s mix of conversational storytelling and emotional grit. The second verse deepens the narrative, shifting into a dialogue between the narrator and a close friend or partner. Lines like “now have you been sinking out there in the lake” and “can I stay here tonight” pull us into a scene of late-night vulnerability, a quiet confession that hints at mental and emotional weight carried just below the surface.

“Born Stiff” strikes a beautiful balance between momentum and introspection, continuing the EP’s personal tone while broadening its emotional palette.

Track 3: All Night & Day

Changing the tone and texture of the EP, “All Night & Day” introduces a full band arrangement that sets it apart from the previous acoustic-driven tracks. The piano takes the lead, stepping into the spotlight as the primary melodic driver, replacing the guitar's earlier prominence. This shift brings a fresh energy and emotional depth, supported by tasteful drumming and understated percussion that fill out the soundscape without overpowering it.

Lyrically, the song radiates raw vulnerability, with the vocals delivering each line with a passionate, almost pleading sincerity. As the track progresses, layered backing vocals begin to emerge, swelling toward the end and building a sense of unity — as if voices from a close-knit circle are joining in. This communal atmosphere feels intimate and heartfelt, giving the song a beautiful, almost familial sense of connection.

Track 4: In My Town

The familiar warmth of the guitar returns in “In My Town”, re-establishing the country-leaning roots of the EP. The vocal delivery here feels more grounded and introspective, occupying a lower register that contrasts beautifully with the gentle, higher-toned guitar melodies. This contrast creates an emotionally resonant space where the lyrics can truly shine.

Country influences are more pronounced in both instrumentation and storytelling, with poetic lines like “the moon’s a black anvil” and “you build it all up, they just grind it down” painting a vivid picture of disillusionment and resilience. It’s a song that feels quietly powerful, rooted in a sense of place and the personal trials that unfold within it.

Track 5: Drifter On The Nile

“Drifter on the Nile” shifts the mood darker and more reflective. It’s a slow-burning, richly textured track with haunting guitar chords that linger in the air, creating an atmosphere of solitude and contemplation. The storytelling here is deeply personal, delivered through vivid and poetic lyrics.

Lines like “your kiss was just a confectionary” capture fleeting, bittersweet romance, while “I'm sitting with my shadow for awhile” evokes profound loneliness. The track doesn’t shy away from heavier themes either, confronting inner demons with lines like “kick back on sobriety row.” There’s a confessional weight to the song — a quiet power in how it lays bare emotional scars without asking for sympathy.

Track 6: Threads

Closing the EP, “Threads” offers a cinematic and emotionally layered finale. Flowing, wavy piano melodies anchor the song with a hymnal quality, while sustained notes and gentle strings gradually build a swelling soundscape. The track feels like a slow ascent, climbing steadily toward an emotional peak.

There’s a spiritual resonance to the way the vocals are woven into the arrangement — subtle yet deeply affecting, as though the singer is reflecting on everything that came before. “Threads” doesn’t just end the EP — it elevates it, tying together its themes with a sense of quiet resolution and hope.

Conclusion

Ballads by J Holmes feels like flipping through pages of someone’s private journal — raw, honest, and full of emotion. Across its six tracks, the EP touches on love, loss, personal battles, and quiet moments of reflection. The vocals don’t just carry the melodies — they carry weight, emotion, and a deep sense of vulnerability. You really feel like you're being let into something real.

From gentle guitar ballads to tracks that open up into fuller, band-backed arrangements, there’s a natural flow to how the EP grows. Even though it's a solo project, nothing about it feels empty or unfinished. Each track brings its own atmosphere, with thoughtful details in both lyrics and sound that pull you in. There’s a warmth to it — sometimes tender, sometimes heavy — that makes it perfect for late-night listening.

Musically, it leans into acoustic and country tones, but there's also a subtle gothic-pop undercurrent that adds depth and edge. It’s a unique blend that gives Ballads its own voice — quietly powerful and deeply personal.

Listen to J Holmes’ music here: https://jholmes.bandcamp.com/album/ballads.

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mysterycuts/ 

Written by Kole Cook

@Kolecookmusic