Live Review: Hatchie proves she's one to watch with 'Sure'
Brisbane singer-songwriter Hatchie is back with 'Sure' - her sophomore single and an even more densely-layered exploration of dream-pop and shoegaze.
Not long after her breakout single 'Try' earlier this year, Brisbane singer-songwriter HATCHIE is back at it again with 'Sure', an even dreamier and densely packed dream-pop cut. She's also announced a signing with Ivy League Records, and has a debut EP to be released in 2018.
Arriving seemingly out of nowhere, Hatchie's first single 'Try' won almost instantaneous acclaim - for good reason. Featuring infinite layers of gorgeous harmonic vocals, guitars and effects, Hatchie (aka Harriette Pilbeam) displayed a skill for beautiful sounds and packed production that was quickly recognised across the country.
'Sure' is one of those tracks where you're enamoured from that very first guitar strum. Hatchie has created a flawless balance between 90s pop hooks and songwriting and the equally 90s sound of shoegaze and dream-pop. Bursting from the seams with sounds from the get-go, the track only gets thicker with the chorus, with Pilbeam's harmonies floating above layers of acoustic and electric guitar, synths, strings, bass and a wall of effects. Every element has immediate presence without washing out the rest of the tracks - the vocals are the right amount of inaudible, and the drums keep the pace without getting too bombastic.
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Thematically, the track deals with a mind stuck between two extremes, not exactly knowing where to go. “I think that’s because I’m still making up my mind,” says Harriette. “I’m kind of jumping between, ‘Do I want to just make fun pop songs? Or do I want it to be more shoegaze and more of a band sound?’" The beauty of a track with as many layers as 'Sure' is that every listen is a new discovery. A new sound you didn't hear before, or a lyric you only just realised that totally changes the game - there's always something to find.
With a sound like Slowdive suddenly became a Natalie Imbruglia cover band, 'Sure' is a triumph in how Hatchie uses her influences to create an ethereal and unique track that you just want to listen to again and again, preferably while running in a field of posies in slow motion. With her recent signing to Ivy League Records and debut EP on the way, this is one artist you definitely need to watch.
Image: Joseph Crackett/Only Odd for Purple Sneakers. Check the fully gallery here.
WORDS BY MAX LEWIS
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