Summer wouldn't be the same without a little romance, and that's exactly what pulses through Hinds' lighthearted new record — and Carlotta Cosials and Ana García Perrote's first as a duo — Viva Hinds.At 10 tracks, the album feels like the soundtrack to a new crush, unearthed just as the season fades. Picture cool dips in afternoon shallows, racing along the highway to catch the sunset, fumbling fingers in the sand, and leaves turning yellow at the edges. It's a special time of year, perfectly captured on Viva Hinds, a persistently dreamy homage to romance that invites you to dive in completely.The opening track, "Hi, How Are You" channels early 2000s indie hitmakers like Metric and Silversun Pickups, with a touch of more modern, underground vocalists and guitarists like Tina Halladay of Sheer Mag or Alicia Bognanno of Bully. Sassy, self-critical and laced with a gritty lead guitar and spacious synthesizers, the sound is full of vitality and realness. It's a bold start that sets the tone for the vulnerable musings to follow.The production, with its dream pop, surf and shoegaze influences, crafts a hazy and sentimental atmosphere with wistful tracks like "The Bed, the Room, the Rain and You," while Tegan and Sara-style moments pop up on tracks like "On My Own," punctuated by playful hoots and hollers from the band before they yell either, "You just fucked it up," or conversely, "I just fucked it up!"Laid-back yet memorable, songs like "Coffee" capture a shift from chasing someone to running from them. "Stop calling / Don't look at me with those eyes," Cosials and Perrote plead, adding how much they love accepting flowers from boys they're not sleeping with. The lyrics suggest taking a cue from the trees: "They're so wise / They get rid of their shit."The album's vocal experimentation ensures it never drags on for too long. "Superstar" begins soft and sweet before erupting into punky yells, contrasting whispery verses with more abrasive builds and climaxes. The depth and fullness of the garage-pop production is consistent, dynamic and incredibly satisfying to soak in.An unexpected treat arrives with Beck's appearance on the playful pop banger "Boom Boom." His quintessential indie pop vibe adds flair as they proposition a hypothetical crush: "Do you want to fall in love in a bar tonight? / Do you want to fall in love with a broken heart? / Do you want to ride in my garage? / Do you want to be the one that feels the boom boom back?" This song in particular's lack of self-seriousness leans into the charming quality that Hinds have become known for, and they deliver in spades.As a Latinx listener, it's gratifying to hear Spanish indie going strong, especially with women leading the charge. Both "Mala Vista" and "En Forma" are sung in Spanish, offering something fresh for a repetition-averse ear. It's also a first for the band; in the past, they've always sung primarily in English, and it's good to hear them owning and using their connection to their native languages.The closer, "Bon Voyage," reminiscent of a blend between Melody's Echo Chamber and Portishead, might not be the most remarkable track, but it serves its purpose as a gentle wind-down before the LP draws to a close.Sensual and honest, Viva Hinds feels close to the chest, with throbbing pianos, soaring synthesizers, and drum machines accompanying profound reflections on staying true to oneself in love. It'll be interesting to see what they do next; will they get weirder or settle further into their rambunctious niche? Either way, I'll be listening.
Wavelength
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