- Four years ago, four young women from Madrid uploaded a track called Demo on Soundcloud and unknowingly struck gold. Within months, they were an international sensation, with every country begging for a tour and more material. Hinds, formerly known as Deers, were heralded as the next big thing in rock’n’roll, and their nonchalant-yet-ambitious approach to lo-fi, DIY guitar pop struck a chord with adoring fans worldwide. In 2016, they released their debut album and embarked on an enormous global tour, performing at just about every festival on offer across the world and they haven’t really stopped since.
Aptly titled Leave Me Alone, this was the first glimpse we had into the badass, no-bullshit demeanour that comprises Hinds’ music, masked in jangly guitar rhythms and easy-going harmonies courtesy of co-vocalists Ana Perotte and Carlotta Cosials. Leave Me Alone set a benchmark for the band which they’ve more than met with their second album, I Don’t Run.
Openly embracing their imperfect music, the growth between their debut and second albums is remarkable. Still rough around the edges, it’s how far they’ve come, from Tester in its dynamic, thundering glory to the insatiable hooks of Finally Floating to the blistering, sun-soaked Soberland. While songs like Linda shows a sadder, slower side, lead single and first taste we got from the band’s new material, New For You, made an impactful statement with its self-critical lyrics and poppy hooks that pay homage to bands like The Strokes in a very Hinds-esque way,
With the band setting out to be brave and really prove themselves, I Don’t Run is bolder, louder and represents the evolution of a band that works hard to carve out a space entirely their own in the world. Ever-honest, I Don’t Run is the sharpest and most straight-forward Hinds has ever sounded, and as they detail growing up in all its painful, messy, beautiful glory more openly than ever before, they have allowed themselves to create a record that is hard-hitting, hugely impressive and catchy as all hell. Hinds have shown they have no interest in doing things in any way other than their way, and it’s this brazenness that will surely make them superstars in the very near future.
- Emma Jones.