Some records feel as though they have been lifted from another era, and Giddy Hoo’s debut EP, Finally Found, is one of them. The quartet, formed by two sibling pairs, describes their music as “chaotic symphonies with an unmistakable edge” and that is not far from the truth. Screaming high vocals, soaring guitar solos, intricate keyboard riffs, groovy basslines, and thunderous drums create a sound that is both forceful and full of character. The fact that the band unites two sets of brothers, one from the vibrant heart of Kerala and the other from the rock capital of India, Shillong adds a unique cultural depth to their story.
The four-track EP dives into the lesser-known sounds of the 1960s and 1970s, opening with the title track and weaving through themes of love, adventure, desperation and isolation. It evokes memories of bands such as Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, and Rainbow, while also calling back to the early days of India’s own rock movement, when groups like Rock Machine(Now Indus Creed), Orange Street, and Phynyx(Formerly Phoenix)were laying new ground. There is an undeniable nostalgic charm to the record, a sense of rediscovering a raw and exploratory era of music.
Yet for all its energy and skill, Finally Found occasionally struggles to leave a lasting impression. The performances are strong, but some tracks lack the enduring hooks that stay with you for long. It is nonetheless a promising debut from a band clearly unafraid to experiment and carve their place within the realm of rock.
If you have been searching for an album that rekindles the thrill of classic rock while pointing to what might come next, you may have finally found it.
