Phillipsburg's Pentley Holmes demonstrates vocal muscle on new single 'Shape Up'

Singer-songwriter Pentley Holmes rides a mid-tempo groove that burns slowly, but brightly, on his new single "Shape Up."

Fusing together bits of folk, country and Gold-era Ryan Adams, "Shape Up" is more of an exercise in vocal stretching for the Phillipsburg resident than anything else. To that effect, Holmes sets his pace early on, locks in tight and uses his voice to carry the melody along nicely.

Holmes also gets bonus points for a simple, yet effective chorus. "Shape up, ship out," he belts out as the plucky guitar riff gives way to a soaring vocal run in the song's final act.

"Shape Up" is the first single from Holmes' upcoming album Rip Out My Heart. Rip Out My Heart will be available Sept. 23.

Catch Holmes in concert on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Weyerbacher Brewing Company in Easton. Holmes will be performing that afternoon alongside singer-songwriters Carter Lansing, Mike Roi and Shane Reimer as part of the Bastard Sons of Burt Sugarman ensemble. Admission is free. Show time is 3:30 p.m.