Hinds – The Prettiest Curse

Addictive guitar pop from the returning Spanish band...

Spanish indie-rock band Hinds’ have put their all into their third album ‘The Prettiest Curse’, a collection of songs that celebrate joyous pop and gives everyone a much- needed reprieve from the darkness of the world we currently live in.

Opening with the sweet stylings of their first single ‘Good Bad Times’, encompassing the feel-good vibe of the entire album right off the bat as the Madrid-based quartet plays around with Spanish lyrics for the first time.

Following track ‘Just Like Kids’, the most light-hearted and upbeat track of the lot, enjoys a playful vocal delivery that rings with child-like joy, a carefree setting that’s carried forward by the playground noises bracketing the chime of the guitar that pierces through on ‘Boy’.

While they have focused on diversifying their sound with this record, the girls fall back to their signature lo-fi sound with the ease on ‘Riding Solo’, which boasts a seesaw of emotions and a groovy guitar-led soundscape, shining bright as the highlight of the 10-track production.

Another highlight is ‘Come Back And Love Me’, which fuses an acoustic instrumental with husky vocals to project a colourful, warm imagery that immediately leaves listeners feeling lighter and happier. The guitar is truly the queen of ‘The Prettiest Curse’, as the foursome aim towards wider approach from their previous garage rock sound.

While it works for a large part of the record, it feels jarring on the shouty, off-kilter arrangement of ‘Burn’, the only track on the album that doesn’t immediately have anyone reaching for the replay button. But Hinds’ veer straight back to earworm melodies with epic pop track ‘Take Me Back’, percussion-heavy anthem ‘The Play’ and the catchy pop hook of penultimate offering ‘Waiting For You’; showcasing an incredible range of soundscapes that swing between lo-fi garage rock and typical sugary-pop, all equally repeat-worthy.

The kaleidoscope of sounds that is ‘The Prettiest Curse’ comes to an end with the sleepy lull of wistful romantic track ‘This Moment Forever’, concluding a fine album that balances its expansive and experimental edge with rich, emotional musicality.

8/10

Words: Malvika Padin

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