Drew Wilson delves into rich, cinematic alt/folk-pop on new single, 'Holding Onto You'

Sunshine Coast’s Drew Wilson returns with his first solo single for 2023 in ‘Holding Onto You’. The singer/songwriter follows on from his album, ‘Happy Mess’, and the highly-praised collaboration with Darcy Kate, ‘Let It Out’.

Having solidified himself as one of Queensland’s premier unheralded songwriters, garnering 4 singles that gained commercial and community radio play, ‘Holding Onto You’ sees a shift in direction for Drew.

Never resting on his laurels or in a comfort zone, ‘Holding Onto You’ sees Drew pair back the guitar pop production that he is known for, this time letting the acoustic guitar and the lyrics tell the story of the anxiety, stress, pressure and concern that finding your perfect other, and keeping them, can create.

Drew flips the switch on his guitar-pop stylings of his previous release (2022’s ‘Happy Mess’), bringing forth the cinematic folk-pop of ‘Holding Onto You’. Deceivingly complex, there’s a lot more to this seemingly simple track, with the lead vocal split into three, then doubling up for a chorus of Drew’s to enrich the track’s hooky chorus. The smooth movements of the piano, airy pads, deep synth bass and orchestral percussion are all tied together by one simple, finger-picked acoustic guitar - the one constant that appears to duck and weave throughout the other instrumentation. It’s a brilliantly beautiful piece of alt-folk/pop which pitter patters into your grey matter, and has its hooky chorus embed itself between your ears.

The new single was produced by long-term collaborator, Craig Ross (Roomuzik), and is definitely an unexpected, but welcome direction for Drew, which should see him continue to rise into the Australian music landscape.

Expect more collaborations, more music and more shows from Drew Wilson through the rest of 2023 and into 2024.

‘Holding Onto You’ is out now on all streaming platforms.