The Prettiest Curse - Hinds: Review
is a Spanish indie rock girl group who first emerged in 2016 after a name change and released their debut album in 2016 to moderate commercial success. Prettiest Curse is the groups 3rd record and follows a string of four singles over the last year.
Review By Lavender:
While I can say I've never flat out loved a Hinds record I do certainly see the appeal in the band. I thought their second album was full of solid material and my only real complaint was that the band was partaking in some huge Strokes worship. If you told me I Don't Run was a set of Strokes songs written in the mid 2000's I would absolutely believe you because the similarities run that deep. I was hoping on this record that the band would work towards finding their own identity and you could say they did that. The moments of Strokes songwriting are dialed back on this record because the songwriting in general is dialed back, with the simplest structures you'll hear in an indie rock record all year the songs here are very direct for better or for worse.
The first half of the record is made up mostly of singles and the records lead single last year didn't really wow me. Riding Solo is probably the weakest of the bunch despite its frantic energy I can't really stand the hook and the almost Coldplay sounding group vocals that back it up are just a whirlwind of very unkempt sounds trying to form into some kind of sweet tune but it doesn't really work. The next three singles were better starting with the opening track Good Bad Times. The song is a simple wiry summer tune with an effective hook and some driving bouncy percussion that fill out the mix well. Just Like Kids is a short and sweet jam with a strong attitude. I do wish the vocals were mixed a little big higher particularly in the verses because they kind of blend in but the song is a lot of fun nonetheless. Come Back And Love Me is a pretty genuine sounding love song that is very sweet on the ears. The track has a very lowkey demeanor that reminds me of some of Angel Olsen's more mellow tunes and I think it's pretty enjoyable despite being underwritten.
Burn is a bouncy upbeat pop rock track that is straight to the point but more than catchy enough to get by. Take Me Back has a really, like really simple structure to it that is more focused on the wailing guitars and bouncy percussion than the refrains of singing. Despite this I find myself enjoying the song merely because of how exciting its elements are. The closing track This Moment Forever is a ballad type closer that is only as good as its vocal performances. Some of the verses can really wander with the soft under-stated vocals but when a compelling performances from one of more voices emerges the song can be really engaging and sound great. On top of this the last minute of the track is a pretty satisfying closing moment for the album.
Boy is one of the records misses, it's another attempt at a love song but it does come off a little bit tongue and cheek. The chanting chorus in the second half doesn't do much for me and without it there just isn't a ton to love in the track. The Play is a hammed up pop rock track that I don't love. The wailing guitars and driving percussion are certainly upbeat but nothing goes the extra mile to be genuinely fiery or that exciting. Finally Waiting For You may be the weakest song of the bunch with not only a bland hook but just about nothing interesting that makes the whole thing just feel so dry.
The Prettiest Curse is a short collection of brief and simple pop rock songs none of which reach beyond 4 minutes. The incredibly simple formulas are split across the record into two groups. Straight to the point catchy and fun pop rock ragers, as well as some insultingly simple and mostly ineffective counterparts. While this isn't the progress I was hoping the band would make on album #3 I can't deny that some of these songs are so hooky and fun it may be impossible not the come away from this record with a few highlights. 5.5/10
Album Cover Review By Tyler Judson:
There's a lot going on in this image but it's so good. While it is very busy I think this is a great example of set styling and creative direction in a cover. It has so many small details that you get to see when viewed larger but still gets the point across very well when viewed in the usual small form. The color palette is cohesive and everything in the frame relates to each other and allows the red of the subjects to pop out from the bust environment around them. The title adds a nice touch and brings it all together when it could have easily made it too crowded. 7/10
For some Hinds inspiration check out my review of The Strokes album The New Abnormal here
