Julia Holter – Materia

LA-based singer-songwriter Julia Holter is literally a master of music – with both a Bachelor’s and Master of Fine Arts degree in composition, Holter has dedicated her life to uncovering the different possibilities within music theory and production. Over the course of nearly 20 years, she has applied her vast knowledge by experimenting with different elements, techniques, and styles across six full-length projects, and Materia is her most recent addition to her exploration. Materia is said to be a continuation, or sequel, to Something in the Room She Moves from 2024, which focused on her newfound role as a mother. Here, Holter floats freely through the soft soundscape she created for herself two years ago, but with greater fluidity and playfulness.

Listeners may already be familiar with Materia, as it originally appeared as the fourth track on Something in the Room She Moves. Between tour dates over the past few years, Holter revisited the minimalistic and delicate nature of the song, as well as its themes surrounding motherhood and how she connects it to feelings of spirituality and transcendence. From this reflection, Materia, as well as the songs Materia 2 and Materia 3 that are found within it, emerged as a sister project that expands upon the original song through production changes, lyrical edits and a brand-new sonic world, while also bringing renewed attention to its original form.

The setting of Materia is grounded by its opener, The Laugh Is in the Eyes. Knocks, rattles, and clinks of various percussive instruments – or perhaps everyday objects – are supported by synths and woodwinds to create a wonderful blend of classical and electronic sounds. Holter creates an atmosphere similar to a dreamy sleep state or the feeling of fogginess and dissociation that exists between deep slumber and slowly waking up. My Lost One, however, pulls the listener deeper into this trance as similar woodwind sounds and the light tones of Holter’s vocals become stronger. Tambourine taps and a clarinet strengthen Holter’s presence as she chants with soulful desire. The abrupt ending of My Lost One signifies a new chapter as Holter creates an entirely new ambience filled with echoes and chirps, as though she has found herself in a midnight woodland scene in Fantasy. With Fantasy, it feels as though Holter has quite literally produced her dream environment in sound form, taking listeners with her on a bright and adventurous, yet calm experience.

Clepsydra is more akin to a choral arrangement as a synthesised organ forms the core of its production. Holter harmonises with it, and it feels as though the dream, or fantasy, has reached its climax. My Twin, which follows, proves this as a darker or more mysterious motif is introduced. This track comes across as a unique take on a children’s lullaby, which complements the themes woven throughout both Something in the Room She Moves and Materia, such as childhood, motherhood, intimacy and the strange boundary between physical and spiritual feelings.

As far as the title tracks are concerned, they seem like new, inventive songs rather than reworkings of another. Materia 2 is backed by a stable heartbeat. Though still minimalistic, Holter leans into the fantasy world she established through previous tracks, using her voice as an instrument as much as a way to deliver lyrics. The song reinforces connections between love and blood and spirit and body, focusing more heavily on physical sensation or outward experience than inward reflection as heard in the original. Materia 3, however, is more haunting as the original take is slowed dramatically. Every word seems to linger, forcing listeners to sit with the song rather than simply hear it pass by. If Materia 2 represents the dissolution of the boundaries between body and spirit, Materia 3 feels like a return to the body, time, and memory. The dreamscape ends here, as does the Materia project as a whole.

Although only seven songs make up this sister album, Materia is innovative beyond belief. Holter has created an entire world from a song that already existed, proving that music can take many different forms depending on perspective. Through subtle changes in instrumentation, pacing, lyrics and atmosphere, Holter reveals new dimensions within the same idea. Overall, Holter’s efforts with Materia demonstrate how music can be stretched and reshaped according to a change in approach, and the final product is a beautiful dream-like production.

Taryn Crowley
Image: Tashi Wada

Materia is released on 21^st August 2026. For further information or to order the album, visit Julia Holter’s website here.

Watch the video for Fantasy here: