Album Review: Hold My Gun

The Mons Whaler were formed in the Taranaki area, by Hemi Coates (vocals & guitar), Andre Peri (percussion & backing vocals) and Phil Hoskin (bass, guitar backing vocals). Multi-talented Courtnay Low joined forces with them, on keys, backing vocals and lead guitar. What has resulted is a heady brew of multi-genre, high-quality, soulful rock & roll. The distinctive fuzz-driven guitar, deliciously tasteful keys, rock-solid rhythm section full of feel and power, and smooth, slinky vocals come together in a mix quite unlike any other. The Mons Whaler have deliberately set out to carve their own niche, and as far as I’m concerned, they’ve been superbly successful.

Hold My Gun is their debut album, following up on 2023’s Won’t Let You Go EP.  Paper Heart is the first track, and after repeated listens to the album, is still my favourite. Riffs to die for, and a vocal melody with a somewhat timeless quality… but it’s when the keys kick in around the 60 second mark, that I get goosebumps. Tastier than my mum’s macaroni cheese, the keys lift an already eminently danceable track into the stratosphere.

It Ain’t On Me slides into your DMs with a laid-back, almost lazy rhythm, smoky and mellow, with a fantastic guitar solo. In Copious Funness, the band show off some prowess with tricky time signatures, and if Hemi’s vocals haven’t already captured your heart, they will with this one. Won’t Let You Go is a heartbreakingly soulful, blues-infused ballad, with darkly beautiful lyrics, sung with the raw emotion of a heart boldly on sleeve.

Title track Hold My Gun has a considerably more energetic delivery, guaranteed to fill any dance floor you can think of, with a rhythm that compels, masterfully presented. The slinky, sexy Online kicks off with a salute to days gone by, with an old-school ‘connecting’ sample, and stays in the sexy zone for the duration. Following that is the distinctly guitar driven Linger On, a punchy rocker, yet still with those wonderfully rich, smooth vocals. Old Cassette kicks off with that monstrous rhythm section laying down thick slabs of groove, amply displaying yet again the superb production that this album enjoys. There’s a Led Zeppelin-like bluesiness to Long Gone, an anthemic banger for the ages. Finally, Blood wraps things up, a low, light, breezy beginning redolent of The Lovin’ Spoonful, progressing into a huge groove with accompaniment from acoustic guitar and piano, ending on a last gorgeous and breathy vocal line.

A strong and confident debut album, rich and colourful in texture and feel. Do yourself a favour, and get listening to this album, the sooner the better.