Optimistic garage rock from the Madrid-based duo
It’s always refreshing to stumble onto a new band. To get that feeling of excitement when you hear that first song and know that you’re inevitably going to be hooked. That’s exactly the experience I had as I pressed play on Hinds’ new album VIVA HINDS. A band I’d previously been unaware of, despite them holding many of the characteristics that would usually implant a band onto my radar. The album screams one thing to me and that’s unfiltered fun, a project that clearly paints a picture of the members personalities. Just a couple of friends making music together.
Hailing from Madrid, Hinds recently halved their members, becoming a two-piece after their drummer and bassist quit the band in pursuit of new projects of their own. The album opens with the track Hi, How Are You, with fuzzy guitars that set a precedent for an energetic half hour as Hinds prove that the setbacks they’ve faced won’t stop them, and suggest that two less members does not mean half of the talent. A track that feels both chaotic and delicate as the duo jump between softly sung verses into brash, shouty choruses.
The duo boast a couple of impressive features as they recruit the help of industry veteran Beck, and Fontaines DC frontman, Grian Chatten. The former performing on the track Boom Boom Back, which for me is a personal highlight of the album: An infectious party track. Interestingly, Hinds manage to keep their sound and personality throughout these two songs despite the calibre of their collaborators presenting a risk of overshadowing.
One of the more relaxed moments of the album is The Bed, The Room, The Rain and You. A gorgeous dream pop piece demonstrating the band’s versatility and ability to move away from their usual sound. The track Coffee is delightfully catchy, an instant earworm. Cheerful duo harmonies carry the melody with quirky, light-hearted lyrics that present as more of a conversation than as poetry: “I like trees when they let go of their leaves, their so wise, they get rid of their shit”.
The album contains the first songs the duo have written in their first language, Mala Vista and En Forma. It’s odd that it took them four albums to write something in their native tongue, but it’s fair to say it was worth the wait.
VIVA HINDS is one of my favourite albums in a long time and I think it’s going to take a while before I stop having it on repeat. Hopefully by then album number five is out, and who knows what fresh tunes that will bring.