At 17, Cooper Gaull is already writing like someone who has spent years studying the distance between who we are and who we pretend to be. His debut EP Hologram captures that fragile space with quiet precision, wrapping coming-of-age vulnerability in cinematic pop production that feels both intimate and expansive.
Across six tracks, Hologram feels like an open window into a restless mind trying to find something real in an age of filters and performance. Cooper writes about heartbreak and self-recognition with the kind of awareness that usually comes later in life. Each song sounds like it was born in a moment of stillness, then carried into motion by the pull of wanting to be seen.
The Virginia-based singer-songwriter leans into the textures of contemporary indie pop but never loses his emotional edge. You can hear traces of Olivia Rodrigo’s raw candor, Phoebe Bridgers’ ghostly introspection, and Taylor Swift’s narrative precision. Yet Cooper’s world is distinctly his own. On Hologram, he doesn’t just sing about the confusion of youth, he studies it — holding it up to the light and watching how it refracts.
Songs like “Fix Yourself” build toward cathartic release, mirroring the desperation that comes with trying to repair something already cracked. “Angel” slows things down, trading grandeur for intimacy, revealing the ache of trying to hold on to something fleeting. Together, they form the emotional backbone of the project, offering a portrait of a young artist learning how to balance self-awareness with self-acceptance.
What makes Hologram so compelling is its sense of atmosphere. Every synth swell and layered vocal feels purposeful, creating a world that’s hazy but never hollow. Cooper’s voice sits at the center, clear and human against the polished production. There’s something vulnerable about how he sings — as if every lyric was recorded in the glow of a phone screen at 2 a.m.
For a debut, Hologram feels unusually cohesive. It’s the sound of someone mapping their emotions in real time, searching for truth in the static. Cooper might still be finding his footing, but that’s what makes this record so magnetic. It’s not about perfection; it’s about presence.
With Hologram, Cooper Gaull steps into view not just as a promising new artist, but as a storyteller learning to turn reflection into resonance. His songs remind us that sometimes the most honest thing we can do is admit we’re still figuring it out — that even in a world built on illusion, the search for something real is what keeps us alive.
Featured Image: Artist Supplied
