Photo by Andrea Savall
Hinds has always been really spectacular at knowing what Hinds fans want from Hinds. Hinds is a feeling or a world that’s kind of a little too cool to be true, but it’s a feeling and a world you want to live in. It clearly comes so naturally to them that it seems like there’s no amount of tinkering or production or sponsorship or amount of money that could sully the rawness they’ve got.
The video for “Riding Solo” reminds you of the “Warts” or “Garden” days, when the camera panned leisurely and the subtle choreography took its time in slo mo. Ana, Ade, Carlotta, and Amber’s expressions always steely cool and a little bit sultry. I Don’t Run brought more chaos, at least visually, with soccer games and bike rides or a ride in a van. This video reels it back to a more meticulously painted picture. The palette is primary, bright, and bold. The shapes and details of the outfits are wild — Amber’s long yellow robe, Ana’s jester-looking getup with straps and buckles. It’s still chaos, but it’s intentional at every corner.
The single is the same way, as the band has never stopped improving both technically and as songwriters — and as business people and artists. It’s got a sheen of shiny pop, it’s got the bassline that could only be Ade’s — relaxed but so groovy. It’s got the bright wandering guitar solos, it’s got the back and forth between Ana and Carlotta’s unmistakable vocals. It almost makes you nostalgic for when you first heard them, but also really excited for the rest of the record. I think that’s kind of what every band tries so hard to do with each subsequent record, but very few actually achieve it. It’s not easy and Hinds have done it.
I was a little nervous about what Hinds was going to do with this record. I had a very real fear or overproduction, or of them veering a little too far over the line from artist to business and getting away from themselves as they see more and more success. But this is exactly what I wanted from them. I want all of the outfits. I want to be there lazing in the water (fully clothed?), I want to be in that car with them. That’s how Hinds gets ya — they make you wish you were pals.
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