FAVOURITE ALBUMS RELEASED IN 2024 : VIVA HINDS by HINDS

An occasional feature between now and mid-December. There will be ten albums in all, and maybe having read what I’ve had to say, and listened to a few tunes, you might like the idea of suggesting something to Santa. It’s not a rundown or a Top 10 – the latter would be just too difficult to try and do.

Viva Hinds – Hinds

Back in February, I wrote about Hinds playing a basement venue in Glasgow to a packed and enthusiastic audience, including myself and Aldo.  We were ecstatic that it turned out to be a triumphant return after a period of change and uncertainty, and it was an evening in which the two remaining members of the original four-piece line-up, Carlotta Cosials and Ana García Perrote became almost overwhelmed by the reception given to them by the audience.  There were a handful of new songs aired during the set, all of which were as enthusiastically received as the old material, which really bode well for the next album.

Viva Hinds, their fourth studio album, was released in September 2024, but was preceded by a number of singles/music videos, which meant I was quite familiar with much of the material by the time the vinyl was delivered to Villain Towers  – this was one ordered directly from the band to try and ensure as much of the money ended up with them, an important factor as there have been very trying circumstances for all concerned in the four years since the release of The Prettiest Curse back in 2020.

Given all that has happened to the band – it wasn’t just the departure of their original drummer and bassist, but they also lost their management team and record label – it might be anticipated that the comeback album would prove to be bitter and resentful.  The Glasgow show back in February, however, gave more than a few hints that it wouldn’t turn out that way.  I knew that Viva Hands was going to be a joy to listen to, and it also managed to offer up a few pleasant surprises, not least how polished it felt given that the main recordings took place in pop-up studios in rural France, albeit some work, including some backing and co-vocal contributions from well-known guests, took place in more conventional surroundings.

It might be a short album, with its ten songs stretching out to 32 minutes or thereabouts, but there’s no sense of ever feeling short-changed.  The songs, mostly, bounce along with that comforting blend of pop/post-punk on which the band has built its reputation since first getting together back in 2011.

That’s one of the aforementioned guest contributions.   Here’s the other:-

mp3: Hinds – Stranger (feat. Grian Chatten)

It’s also the first album in which they sing in their native language:-

But for me, the standout song is the one written by Carlotta and Anna as a riposte to those who abandoned them.

“’Superstar’ talks about the disappointment and the pain you feel when someone you love deeply, disappears with no explanation; you feel worthless, you start thinking you never really knew that person, and you question your shared past, and if what you remember really happened. It’s hard to let people go, but writing this song helped. People need closure, and this song is ours.”

Defiant. Anthemic.  Joyous.

Hinds are back in Glasgow this coming February.  It’s likely to be one of the highlights of the year.

JC