Hinds – The Prettiest Curse

All-female indie rock band Hinds branch out to a poppier sound on their third studio album. Released under the Mom + Pop record label and recorded in New York by producer Jenn Decilveo, who has produced for Bat For Lashes and Anne Marie, this is the sound of a band having time to produce the music they want and being encouraged to explore their sound. Singer and guitarist Ana Perrote told BBC News about Decilveo’s influence on the album: “She made us yell louder than ever, would pretty much force us to do guitar solos every second she could and I think just helped us find our new sound identity.” You can hear this, as their guitar riffs and licks are accomplished and seductive.

The four-piece formed in Madrid in 2011, originally calling themselves Deers, but after the threat of legal action from a band similarly named The Dears, they renamed themselves Hinds (female deer). So far, so sassy. Their attitude is rowdy and feminist and the sound reflects that. The album cover for The Prettiest Curse is full of bubblegum pop colours and beautifully composed, but with instruments foregrounded, giving a fair representation of the sounds within.

The standout track, Riding Solo, is catchy and carefree, like a modern update on The Waitresses’ legendary hit I Know What Boys Like. The production on it is dense and fun. Speaking about the album’s third single, Come Back and Love Me <3, singer and guitarist Carlotta Cosials said that it is “the most romantic song we’ve ever done.” She also said that the band “went full Spaniards here”, including “bossa-nova vibes [drummer and bassist] Amber and Ade created”. The track uses Spanish guitar to create a lilting, romantic sound, with lyrics like “I looked at you and now I’m trapped in your eyes.” There are also lyrics in Spanish, which add to the romantic and heartfelt mood.

The following track, Burn, sees a more raw depiction of a relationship: “Take my heart / Because I don’t want it. / Teach me how not to feel.” Burn has another soaring guitar riff. Take Me Back has upbeat, shoe-gazey backing, while closing track This Moment Forever creates the most beautiful and dreamy moment on the album, before devolving into a raucous, sprawling shout. The Prettiest Curse combines musicianship, rawness and pop production to catchy and uplifting effect.

Jessica Wall
Photo: Keane Shaw

The Prettiest Curse is released on 5^th June 2020. For further information or to order the album visit Hinds’s website here.

Watch the video for Riding Solo here: