EP review: Hollow Souls – Hollow Souls

By PETER COATES

KRIS Barras has had a massive few years – and 2024 saw the Kris Barras Band really hit their straps, headlining the Planet Rockstock festival in the UK and The Halo Effect album hitting No. 5 in the UK.

In March 2025, Kris joined forces with long-time collaborator Josiah J Manning and backing singer Phoebe Jane to create a blues-rock jam project based somewhat on the concept of the Supersonic Blues Machine collective, of which Kris has been a part with Billy Gibbons, Kenny Aronoff, Fabrizio Grossi and a cast of amazing guitarists.

The project came together in Momentum Studios in Plymouth, adding drummer Joe Harris, and bassist Leighton Allen, with some guest vocalists on board. And this EP is the first released material from the band. There is a UK tour about to kick off, with Troy Redfern guesting on the 20 dates.
The debut single “Borderline” highlights all of the energy and excitement generated in the studio, as Kris invited Jared James Nichols, US blues-rock guitarist, to feature on lead guitar remotely from across the pond.

Kris said: “His contribution to this song is massive. We gave him creative license to play whatever he wanted. I am so stoked with the results.”

There is a tinge of gospel in the vocals and a thunderous groove in the riff, and a whole load of wild guitar licks from JJN which makes this a hugely impressive opening
to the EP. Phoebe Jane was born to front a band like this, and shows off her glorious voice in all elements of this one.

Chris Tapp from The Cold Stares guests alongside Phoebe Jane on Bad Things, the third single release, which has another monster riff from KB that drives the track along, supplemented with howling lead lines  and includes a gritty solo before the last reprise of
the chorus.

“I Need The Fire” bursts out of the blocks like a drag-racer, and this has so much energy from bass and drums and the driving guitar riff, perfectly complemented by
the barely controlled lead vocal from Phoebe Jane.  This is not released as a single yet, but maybe the best track on the EP – it  will raise the roof live.

The band has just released “Burn It To The Ground” as another single, featuring the great blues voice of Elles Bailey whose earthy tones work beautifully in with the guitars and backing. And this features some excellent drumming from Joe Harris.

The unmistakeable voice of Monster Truck’s Jon ‘Marv’ Harvey provides another dimension to Shotgun, and reminds me of what a brilliant band they are. This is the
heaviest of blues rock from KB to date, and Phoebe Jane provides some wonderful harmonies behind the gravelly lead vocal line. The EP closes with an electric-acoustic
ballad in “Chasing Ghosts”, allowing Josiah J Manning to star on the keyboards, and KB and Phoebe Jane to duet on the soaring melody of the chorus. The track is a real slow-burner, that builds up to the mid-section featuring an outrageous solo, while Phoebe Jane delivers mind-blowing backing vocals that remind you of some of those classic 1970’s prog rock band masterpieces.

There is such a volume of quality rock music coming out of the UK right now, with a number of really talented blues-rock guitarists at the forefront, and an equal number of male and female vocalists. So while the Hollow Souls’ core sound is not far removed from the KBB sound, the introduction of Phoebe Jane as lead vocalist has turned this into something quite special.