Hinds – Viva Hinds

Madrid-based singer-songwriters Carlotta Cosials and Ana Perrote have been a dynamic duo for over a decade; the band has gone through its phases, but their garage pop-rock shtick has remained steady through it all. Their latest album, Viva Hinds, shows this eloquently as their youthful, reflective and introspective story of love and heartbreak comes to life.

The Viva Hinds tale begins with Hi, How Are You; this coming-of-age account sets the scene of the record as Cosials and Perrote get existential. They discuss how devastating and life-changing saying goodbye can be, and this follows through with track two, The Bed, The Room, The Rain and You. Hinds’ talent truly proves itself through their intelligent use of metaphors; this song, specifically, highlights this as the two expand upon the album’s introduction. After saying goodbye, they are reminded of their loss at every turn. Simple things, like rain or a room, wash over them and fill them with an extreme level of dread. The single Boom Boom Back transitions from sadness to a matter-of-fact attitude. The band asks: “How badly do you want this?” They do not question themselves, but rather the subject as they ask layered rhetorical questions. The ever-iconic Beck is featured, and his voice adds a nonchalant energy that switches up the sound completely.

Stranger pulls the record back into the emotional bedroom pop-rock hybrid as before. Hinds dive into intense metaphorical detail as to how, when one grows up, they have a hard time recognising themselves in the mirror, especially when they feel they have hit rock bottom. Track five, Superstar, continues this thought both sonically and thematically as the same vulnerability is exposed. Superstar may be niche, but the relationship between a pretentious partner and toxicity has a relatability factor and is thought-provoking regardless. 

Mala Vista allows Hinds to showcase their roots and makes way for the best of their figurative language. They come full circle by referencing themes from Hi, How Are You and Superstar by noting how someone with a huge ego can only destroy one’s heart to where they have no choice but to express intense anger. On My Own is the duo showing acceptance with a light, airy and fun sound; they raise an interesting subject of how when someone says “I love you”, they do not need to say it back. 

Hinds does anger and spite with a free spirit; the eighth song, Coffee, is a great example of this. En Forma is gut-wrenching, yet relatable, as Cosials and Perrote say how they need to get their act together now that they have grown up, and when Hinds does a Spanish production, their lyrics, once again, are beautifully put. 

As Bon Voyage wraps up Viva Hinds, listeners are left to contemplate the nuance of past relationships, especially when it comes to the negative aspects. Overall, Cosials and Perrote have outdone themselves with this intensely personal and well-written record that has the potential to touch hearts worldwide.

Taryn Crowley
Image: Dario Vazquez

Viva Hinds is released on 6^th September 2024. For further information or to order the album visit Hinds’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Boom Boom Back here: