Scandinavian indie pop four-piece Hater end a three-year hiatus following their formidable third album ’Sincere‘.
Friday 6th March sees the release of ’Mosquito’, an intriguing dream pop drama played out across eleven gripping instalments of self-examination.
The first of three teaser tracks arrives today with lead single “This Guy?” which creates a mysterious first impression: the tale of a strangely confused interloper, unidentified and unidentifiable – and the band themselves call it “a quite confusing song”. Måns comments, “I love the fact that the verse is complete weirdness, and the chorus is clear as day.”
On ‘Mosquito’, Malmo-based Hater sound rejuvenated – creating a mix between the raw indie-pop energy that they’ve become known for, and a more direct, polished songwriting. The band have refined their shoegaze roots into something sharper, more melodic, and deeply resonant. ‘Mosquito’ overflows with stories where mythical twists (vampires, Cupid, mosquitos) are underpinned by the sad-eyed yearning for true love. But this is not your typical gushing album about love the band are keen to point out.
“I don’t think we strove to write love songs really; I was surprised when we stood with a whole bunch of them.” Says Caroline.
She continues, “There’s no song about ‘smootchy smootchy love you to bits’ on Mosquito. More about having your heart scratched, butterflies in your stomach, feeling empty and heartbroken, the physical feeling and rollercoaster of being.”
“Landslide” the album’s opener, is a diaphanous number, all chiming guitars and ethereal vocals. “Angel Cupid” unfurls in slow motion as a gorgeously controlled diatribe against bland love songs, and the echoey cavern of gothic strangeness of “Stinger” paints a picture of ‘Mosquito’ as an emotional rollercoaster. It’s a work that spills over with half-remembered broken hearts and broken promises, full of torture yet punctuated with a gritty hope for future resolutions.
‘Mosquito’ was recorded in the splendid isolation of AGM Studios in Vollsjö, Sweden, with long-time collaborator Joakim Lindberg at the controls and bassist Adam Agace returning to the fold. They completed the project at Lindberg’s famed Studio Sickan, with Caroline Landahl, Måns Leonartsson, Rasmus Andersson, and Adam Agace all contributing equally to a sound that morphs between punchy introspection and melancholy realisation.
“Your next Scandinavian indie pop obsession.” Flood
“Stunning” Stereogum
