Review: Hollie Cook - Shy Girl (Mr Bongo)

It's hard to believe that Hollie Cook's self-title debut album on Mr Bongo came out in 2011 with a mix of bouncy pop-reggae-lovers rock as this 'Shy Girl' is still at it with Horseman and... some great 'grown-up' tracks! 

That debut album was produced by Dennis Bovel and latter, Prince Fatty gave it a full dub overhaul.  Fatty himself co-wrote much of that album with Cook whilst the lead track, 'Milk & Honey' was co-written with some jazz influene including Ben Lamdin (he of Nostaligia 77 - see review HERE).

The last time we saw Ms. Cook was with the 'Move My Way' (see review HERE) but 'Shy Girl' is her fifth album to date and a return to her debut roots with MC Horseman after her collabI with Mykal Rose on the the last dancehall/soundsystem album. 

A twelve track 'tropical-pop' album recorded in London, LA, NYC and Spain (Vejer de la Frontera) over 3 years with the General Roots Band it's obvious that this 'Shy Girl' isn't shy whilst the song are full of vunerability, love, loss, melancoly, just your normal teen-pop subject matter; and I say that in the best of ways as her singing voice still sounds young and pure (Ed. not a bit of the image of Dad's Sex Pistol period or Hollie's own 'Lil' Slit period).

Radio DJs watch out for 'In The PIctures' which is my current favourite with some jazzy vibes and a slip of a dub button (in more ways than one) and it's almost directly ready for a version, but not a single status.  The first single is going to be 'Night Night' but I'd have gone for the deep 'Frontline' that's more Black Uhuru than, say, the 'competition' of Rhoda Dakar's 'Version Girl' project.

'Take Me In Your Arms' is a great reggae doo wop (that's another one that's going to be great version) and the horns on 'Crying Wolf' are so good, it's like Rico's back in The Specials, at a slower pace.

This album is bound to get support from the Rodigan's, Letts' and Peterson's of the BBC 6 Music playlists and it (and Hollie) deserves to be a huge hit; 'River Runs Deep' and We Share Love' after all.

Shy girl no more me thinks.

BUY LINK: Shy Girl | Hollie Cook

Artist: Hollie Cook

Title: Shy Girl

Release Date : 10th October, 2025

Label : Mr Bongo Records

Catalog Number : MRBCDLP323

Format: Vinyl LP / CD / Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Hollie Cook - Move My Way (Black Science Orchestra Remixes) (Merge Records)

Hollie Cook's new single, taken from her album 'Happy Hour' is all you'd expect from the 'Lil' Slit' with her reputation for bouncy lovers rock that here is produced with the help of Youth. 

It's backed by a track called 'Unkind Love' and if you are a fan of her 2011 debut album on Mr Bongo (produced by Dennis Bovel that got full  Prince Fatty dub overhaul) you'll won't be surprised by the quality of this new material.

What perhaps will surprise you (thanks to Mrs Ramrock, Jo Wallace for pointing this out) is that there's a Black Science Orchestra remix and dub versions.  We've not seen/heard these guys since Junior Boy's Own/Afro Art way back. 

The remix is very much in a disco-shuffle-jazz-funk groove and with a proper 'dub'; it's going to get you moving as the synths and percussion take on a very 80s go-go vibe with reggae island horns and organ; what more could you ask for? Kitchen sink? (only kidding).

Lets hope this is the start of Black Science Orchestra taking on more remixes like this.

P.S. There's an interview with Ashley Beedle in the new DISCO POGO magazine [#2] in which he covers his Black Science Orchestra days and much more.

Artist: Hollie Cook

Title: Move My Way (Black Science Orchestra Remixes) 

Release Date : 14th September, 2022

Catalog Number : 

Label : Merge Records

Format: Digital