Hollie Cook - Hollie Cook

Fourteen years on and this debut still sounds like nothing else. Released in 2011 and produced by Prince Fatty, Hollie Cook's self-titled first album arrived fully formed as a modern classic of the lovers rock and tropical pop world, a record that drew from the warmth of classic 1960s girl groups, the sensuality of lovers rock pioneers like Janet Kay and Phyllis Dillon, and the deep roots of reggae, and wove them into something entirely and beautifully her own.

The album radiates highlights from start to finish. "Milk & Honey" has become one of the most beloved songs in Hollie's catalog, a sun-soaked, supremely catchy piece of tropical pop that has racked up over 46 million streams on Spotify alone and shows no signs of slowing down. Elsewhere the album delivers a remarkable reimagining of the Shangri-Las' "(Remember) Walkin' In The Sand," transformed from its dark, emotive original into something filled with lightness and hope, and a signature take on Rachel Sweet's laidback "It's So Different Here" that feels completely natural in Hollie's hands. "Sugar Water (Look At My Face)" leans into dub territory with bass-heavy conviction, while singles "That Very Night" and "Body Beat" showcase the deep creative synergy between Hollie and Prince Fatty at its most irresistible.

The ensemble assembled around them is extraordinary. Omar, Dennis Bovell, George Decker of The Pioneers, Horseman, Style Scott, Black Steel, and Mutant Hi-Fi all contribute, giving the record a richness and depth that rewards repeated listening. Inspired and influenced by the past but with a definitive foot in the present, Hollie Cook is a modern masterpiece and the beginning of a journey that has made Hollie the contemporary queen of the lovers rock sound.

Now available on yellow vinyl from Mr Bongo, exactly as it should be.