SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: HOVVDY – HOVVDY

HOVVDY
HOVVDY
ARTS & CRAFTS

Following the success of their 2022 EP billboard for my feelings, Texas duo Charlie Martin and Will Taylor, better known as Hovvdy, has returned with a new self-titled double album. The duo has found themselves on the radar of other iconic artists in the indie scene, with indie supergroup boygenius citing their 2021 album True Love an inspiration for their 2023 album the record and rising star beabadoobee naming them as one of her favourite artists. After teasing their established audience with three leading singles, “Jean”, “Bubba”, and “Portrait” in 2023, the 19-track album was released in its entirety in April.

Shaking things up from their usual lo-fi indie-pop vibe, this album focuses on the reflection of familial bonds, and has an authentic and nostalgic feel to it, as though soundtracking your favourite home videos. This feeling starts straight from the get-go with the brief piano instrumental “Intro”, played on Martin’s mother’s piano, setting the tone for what’s about to come. The diverse tracklist allows for a thorough exploration of emotions and experiences, ranging from melancholy-dipped acoustic tracks like “Bubba” and “Clean”, to the very raw grief of “Song For Pete”, to the bolder and hope-tinged “Make Ya Proud”. Things are neatly wrapped up with the pensive homebird lullaby “A Little” which reflects on the love passed, bringing the theme of reflection full circle.

Through the use of acoustic guitars, driving drum beats, and the solid foundation of the family piano, Hovvdy creates a vivid scene for the listener. Opting to record songs such as “Angel” and “Portrait” outdoors resulted in the ability to include the sounds of nature to create an intimate atmosphere. For softer tracks the vocals are layered, creating a ghostly melancholy. Expert producing allows for a switch up for the more upbeat “Bad News”, and “Jean”, with a bubblier production style, which still retains the homely essence of the rest of the album.

Hovvdy is a perfectly-painted exploration of family ties and the experiences that come with them. This is an album to be savoured by its listeners. It will be exciting to watch Hovvdy’s music develop as they continue to grow.

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