“Her most autonomous to date… a coming of age for both Cook and modern lovers rock, with the nine songs a sumptuous wash of mellow melodic groove and soft, soulful voice.” —MOJO

“The first single from the album is ‘Full Moon Baby,’ which is a great example of Hollie’s poppy spin on Lovers Rock, with her honeyed voice front and center and gorgeous harmonies providing all the orchestration you need.” —Brooklyn Vegan

Good news, everyone: Happy Hour is imminent! Hollie Cook’s ravishing new album (very anticipated by Pitchfork) arrives on our shores this Friday, but today, she takes over the Bandcamp Weekly airwaves as guest DJ. The lovers rock artist extraordinaire has created an hour-long mix of her favorite songs from the London musical community she’s part of, including cuts by Hollie’s band General Roots, Frida Touray, and more. Stay till the end for an exclusive play of Happy Hour’s penultimate track, the carnival- and UK garage–influenced “Move My Way.”

Listen to & share Hollie Cook’s Bandcamp Weekly episode now

Excerpt from Vivien Goldman’s bio on Happy Hour:

With Happy Hour, her ravishing new LP, Hollie Cook matures into the queen of modern-day “lovers rock”—the lush girly harmony reggae style beloved in Britain since the 1970s. Evolution rings from the bittersweet opening title track; tender yet assertive, Hollie’s voice caresses evocative lyrics through the arrangement’s tumbling changes.

Hollie dares to invite listeners into her true personality through these alluring songs, which she co-produced with her General Roots band members Ben Mckone and Luke Allwood, and executive producer Youth.

“Particularly with the songwriting, I was trying to really push myself and be open, to not be restricted in any way,” says Hollie. “I have always been a fan of theatrical pop music and wanted to experiment more with the song form.” 

“Move My Way” follows previous Happy Hour singles “Full Moon Baby,” “Kush Kween” featuring Jah9, and the title track. The album is shipping out now on CD, LP, and limited-edition orchid & tangerine Peak Vinyl from the Merge store and Hollie’s website; it will arrive on the shelves of participating independent record shops this Friday. In addition, Rough Trade will have an exclusive blue & purple vinyl pressing available at all of their US and UK shops, including Rough Trade East in London where Hollie will perform a record-release show next week on June 30.

Hollie Cook on tour:
Jun 30 London, UK – Rough Trade East (Happy Hour release show)
Sep 23 Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex
Sep 24 Ventura, CA – Ventura Theatre
Sep 28 Brooklyn, NY – Elsewhere Rooftop
Oct 01 Mexico City, MX – Fronton
Oct 14 Glasgow, UK – King Tut’s
Oct 15 Blackpool, UK – Bootleg Social
Oct 16 Manchester, UK – Gorilla
Oct 18 Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club
Oct 20 Nottingham, UK – Rescue Rooms
Oct 21 Bristol, UK – Thekla
Oct 22 Brighton, UK – Chalk
Oct 23 Southampton, UK – The 1865
Oct 26 London, UK – Village Underground
Oct 27 Beauvais, FR – L’Ouvre-Boîte
Oct 28 Paris, FR – Trabendo
Oct 29 Brussels, BE – Botanique
Oct 30 Utrecht, NL – Tivoli de Helling
Nov 04 Saint-Pierre, RE – Kerveguen
Nov 05 Le Port, RE – Kabardock