Take Blossoms, Wet Leg or even The 1975 for example, they all started in small, local digs but broke free of their roots and made it to world-wide acclaim. One thing all of these bands have in common, however, is that their mother tongue is English, and now, what’s truly a feat is when a non-English speaking (and singing) act establish a heavy and loyal fan base on UK-soil. ABBA or Kraftwerk were arguably the first of their kind, but in recent years, with the rise of K-POP (BTS), Eurovision (Måneskin), more and more people are realising that just because you’re from somewhere, doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself to music of that country.
One band that more than deserves an honourable mention among the greats are the Spanish-speaking Hinds. Hinds have had their fair share of struggles (namely extreme line-up changes – losing half of their gang between records), but making a name for themselves in the UK-indie scene has never been one of them. Their debut album Leave Me Alone (released in 2016) reached number three in the UK independent chart – an impressive feat for a premiere offering. Jump forward to 2024 and the Madrid-duo are releasing their fourth studio album, Viva Hinds, proving that even as two, they can still carry on in their usual breezy meets garage-rock style.
The first track opens the record on a sombre note, reflecting on their hardship over the last few years. “Hey, you ok?” asks Perrote, with Cosials replying “I’ve been better tbh”. They, however, do nothing but take this in their stride. The album was written after the emergence from a creative rut – this period reflected in “Hi, How Are You”, before allowing the rest of the record to break free from the melancholy into rip-roaring guitars and jangly pop numbers. Following, “The Bed, The Room, The Rain And You” finds itself as the only narrative on the record that tackles love (“the light is you / oceans are too / I sing for you”). Breezy and weightless, the cut is a soaring, freeing exploration of romance and shows off the duo’s more tender side.
“Boom Boom Back” features the vocals of lo-fi legend Beck who broke out onto the music scene with his Spanish-language-tinged track “Loser”. Beck’s input is clear from the offset, with funky guitar lines and a playful air that recalls ‘80s rock nonchalant cool of their collaborator. The second group effort on the record, “Stranger”, enlists the aid on Grian Chatten, who’s band (Fontaines D.C.), have just recorded the visuals for their track “Favourite” exploring the illustrious streets of Madrid – in the second subtle tie to their home country. Chatten’s vocals perfectly complement the slower, stripped-back guitars as they tackle identity crises and feeling lost within oneself (“I’m a stranger to myself”). “Superstar” follows on in a similar style, introducing lush and delicate vocals and infectious dittying that hides a simmering rage as they reflect on a fallen relationship – “your mum and dad are paying all your bills… no wonder why you treat me like you’re still a kid”.
“On My Own” harks back to earlier Hinds days with a foggy introduction that quickly breaks into snappy, speedy vocals and chorus’ of laughter in a track that could easily be plucked from Leave Me Alone. Perhaps one of the most upbeat offerings from Viva Hinds, “On My Own” is a joyous call-to-arms of embracing being on your own – despite being wronged (“You just f*cked it up”).
“Coffee” is the track that signposted this new era of Hinds. Released all the way back in February of this year, “Coffee” embraces The Sound Of Music as they sonically divulge all of their favourite things (even the ones they’re not supposed to love) – “I like black coffee and cigarettes, and flowers from boys that I’m not sleeping with”. They aren’t shy when laying bare their guilty pleasures just as long as you don’t “look at me with those eyes”.
The third track to be unveiled from the record “En Forma” earmarks itself as the band’s first cut to be sung entirely in Spanish. It’s a euphoric explosion that encapsulates a narrative of the chaos of being a young woman in the 21st century and the overwhelming pressure to fit in.
The album closers says “Bon Voyage” in style – with a short but infectious final offering. At just over the three minute mark, sultry vocals dominate – making sure that Viva Hinds is not a record to be forgotten, but sweetly lingers.
With their fourth record, Hinds are filling their lungs with air and screaming “OKAY!!! LET’S TAKE THIS WITH A SMILE” – no matter the setbacks, Hinds will always find their way back, and Viva Hinds is the perfect showing of this.
