If you’ve ever wondered what it would sound like if a 1960s protest singer got lost in the woods with a four-track recorder, Matthew Squires & Sunk Coast have your answer. Their track “Holy Mountain” is a charmingly eccentric slice of indie folk that feels less like a polished studio release and more like a late-night revelation shared around a deep-wilderness campfire.
At its core, the song relies on a gentle, lo-fi acoustic guitar and Squires’ intentionally off-key, endearing vocals. The vocal delivery and raw production instantly evoke early Beck or the slacker-rock nonchalance of Pavement. Yet, beneath its unpretentious, quirky surface lies a surprisingly sharp undercurrent of social commentary, echoing the lyrical depth of mid-60s counterculture anthems.
What makes “Holy Mountain” truly stick, though, is its sense of dynamic growth. As the rest of the instrumentation swells to back the foundational folk guitar, the track transforms from an intimate acoustic ramble into an infectious, head-bobbing groove. It’s warm, delightfully unpolished, and packed with personality—a hidden gem for anyone who loves their folk music served with a side of indie grit and subtle biting wisdom.
Written by Zander Schaus
Where to find Matthew Squires:
Where to find Sunk Coast:
