When Hatchie released her first EP Sugar & Spice in 2018, it was such a perfect encapsulation of the jangly dream pop sound that it was hard to believe it was her first release. Although many artists have had the same touchstones (The Sundays, Cocteau Twins, New Order), not everyone has the same gift for instantly classic melodies and huge hooks. Her pop sensibilities are on a Carly Rae Jepsen level, and with such a flawless set of influences, the EP almost seemed too good to be true. Happily, she repeated the trick ten more times on her gorgeous debut, Keepsake – one of 2019’s best albums.
On her follow-up, 2022’s Giving The World Away, Hatchie went darker with an increased use of electronics and slightly gothy undertones (hints of Curve, The Cure and Garbage). It sounded like a natural progression and it was an exhilarating follow-up that continued her upward trajectory. Album number three finds Hatchie positioned as one of the internet’s favourite singer-songwriters, but still she has yet to break out to be the huge star she so obviously deserves to be.
‘Lose It Again’ preceded the album back in August. Hatchie channels her beloved Cocteau Twins in the best possible way with vocal trills that delightfully recall Blue Bell Knoll and a gliding guitar sound that’s straight from Four Calendar Cafe. Her vocal melodies have the same glittery rush that made the five tracks on Sugar & Spice instantly rewarding.
‘Only One Laughing’ followed in October and it’s where Hatchie is at her most playful (accompanied by a video where she endearingly goofs around at a fairground). She channels Harriet Wheeler better than anyone since Natalie Imbruglia’s ‘Wrong Impression’ as she extends her voice sky high singing, “you go home and erase the night” in the shimmering chorus. As the strings slowly rise and twinkling synths join the stuttering drum pattern, everything comes together so satisfyingly in the way that her songs always do. The swoonsome ‘Sage’ captures that same spirit and is full of breathy harmonies and keyboards that sparkle like stars in the sky.
Along with these singles, Liquorice is filled with the meticulous songwriting that has been the DNA of Hatchie’s previous work. ‘Carousel’ starts with a hazy sun-kissed melody that suddenly morphs into a heartstopping chorus as Hatchie sings, “then everything I ever wanted passed and I couldn’t help it, all alone in my head.” It’s one of her most emotive performances. It continues to build with layers of soothing vocals that are filled with sweetness. ‘Stuck’ is another standout and a celebratory closer as Hatchie sings, “you’re in my veins, you’re in my everything, irresistible intensity” with joyful abandon.
‘Wonder’ has a slightly harder edge thanks to the scuzzy guitars and Hatchie giving one of her best vocals full of attitude and a hint of distortion. Continuing her passion for 90s indie music, it neatly lies somewhere between Belly and Chapterhouse as she demands, “I want you to hang on every word I said”. The all-too-brief ‘Anchor’ finds Hatchie stripping things back as she’s backed by woozy shoegaze guitars and a slow rhythm that’s longing and nostalgic like her best material.
In the past, Hatchie’s music often felt like watching fireworks go off in the sky. Liquorice often feels like the aftermath where the smoke is in the air and you lie back looking at the sky taking it all in on. Songs such as, ‘Someone Else’s News’ and ‘Part That Bleeds’ don’t burst into that big pop moment as some of her previous triumphs do (the addictive double chorus of ‘Lights Out’ or that euphoric moment in ‘Stay With Me’ when the beat kicks in). ‘Anemoia’ even has a hypnotic laid-back electronic backing that recalls Boards Of Canada. This move feels intentional though – like Hatchie wanted to make a calmer and more restrained album where she holds some things back. Even though Liquorice is often a more reflective album than Giving The World Away, it’s no less pleasing.
Hatchie nailed her aesthetic instantly on her first few releases and has continued to ride that wave over the last eight years. She’s brilliant at what she does because her music is always well-executed; she understands the dynamics of what made the music she loves so special. These eleven songs are brimming with colours and textures that are incredibly appealing. Liquorice reaffirms her as someone who can do an expert take on a beloved music genre and make it sound fresh and inviting with the songwriting to match.
