The real triumph of Held is emotional – rarely has instrumental electronic music been so heartfelt; simultaneously transcendent, uplifting, stately and sad. Absolutely exquisite.
From start to finish there isn't a bad moment on this album really and I can easily say so far it is the best thing I have heard in a long time.
In both musical and studio accomplishment Holy Other has come into his own as strong, individual, musical voice
This kind of high-emotion, omni-genre electronic music is becoming the measure of artists working without geographical or scene ties and Held is one of the best examples.
His music is of the wholly sensual, painfully physical kind, and with Held he triumphantly translates his bruised intimacy to full-length format without losing any of its skin-prickling power.
The album succeeds as an exercise in hermetic communication – one that heavily applies itself to the imagination and does so without articulating a complete verse.
It’s short (36 mins), but deep and heady, the sort of record that worms its way into your head and stays there, leaving a faint imprint on your psyche.
Frustratingly, the one thing ‘Held’ needs is the one thing their Tumblr-goth fans are short on: concentration.
This is not the kind of electronic music that backs itself into a corner thanks to too many clever gestures.
The colors, textures, and concepts are similar, but the lion’s share of Held comes off as sophomoric pseudo-art
I like the ambient, droneish aspect of it. I dislike the hi pitched voices' aspect of it.
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