The Prettiest Curse
by Hinds
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. The Skinny
    Jun 3, 2020
    100
    The Prettiest Curse is their finest work to date – full of assurance and poise, and still an absolute riot.
  2. Paste Magazine
    Jun 5, 2020
    85
    The Prettiest Curse shows the band at their expected peppy standard, maintaining the youthful punk-cum-surf-rock vigor they’ve built their name on for damn near 10 years. They’ve grown up, whether they meant to or not, but they haven’t lost their edge. They’ve merely sharpened it with their best work to date.
  3. DIY Magazine
    Jun 8, 2020
    80
    ‘The Prettiest Curse’ is packed with grooves, hooks and riffs, and from the opening bass drum to the closing fade, not a single beat is missed.
  5. Glide Magazine
    Jun 5, 2020
    80
    The album shows growth in every aspect of the music, yet the lyrics seem to be the biggest area of change. ... The production from Jenn Decilvio accentuated the band’s evolution by highlighting the multiple vocal parts and adding a truly masterful touch on the effects chosen.
  6. Clash Music
    Jun 5, 2020
    80
    A fine album that balances its expansive and experimental edge with rich, emotional musicality.
  7. AllMusic
    Jun 5, 2020
    80
    Overall, the combo of the band's inspired playing, the note-perfect production, the memorably fun songs, and the vitality of their voices helps make The Prettiest Curse their best record yet. It might not be simple and true garage rock anymore, but Hinds show they are able to grow up a little without losing any of the qualities that made them special.
  8. musicOMH.com
    Jun 5, 2020
    80
    With all the horror and terror of living in 2020 showing no signs of abating, we must turn to art for relief, to offer ourselves a steady stream of cathartic pleasures. This new Hinds album is just the thing you might be looking for, and it might offer you 30 of the most engaging minutes you’ve had in the past god knows how long.
  9. New Musical Express (NME)
    Jun 5, 2020
    80
    On ‘The Prettiest Curse’, they’ve taken their sound and unashamedly experimented with it. They’re all the better for it.
  10. No Ripcord
    Jun 5, 2020
    80
    There may be some subtle shifts here and there, but overall, The Prettiest Curse revels in the simple pleasures of big hooks, chunky chord changes, and sing-a-long melodies.
  11. PopMatters
    Jun 3, 2020
    80
    The Prettiest Curse is infectious without being syrupy, fresh instead of juvenile. This is messy pop music that captures the vibrancy of youth without being childish.
  12. Under The Radar
    Jun 8, 2020
    75
    With The Prettiest Curse Hinds once again do what it does best—making punchy indie rock with a garage rock edge to it. Even better, the more polished sound and the fresh instrumental touches take a step forward for the band. Hinds’ latest work is another raucous good time that shows off the band’s uncompromising attitude and catchy melodies at their best.
  13. Pitchfork
    Jun 9, 2020
    72
    They may have slightly diluted their sound this time around, but at least they’re struggling on their own terms. The highlights suggest there is an arena-friendly Hinds out there, still waiting to emerge in full.
  14. Rolling Stone
    Jun 3, 2020
    70
    Spacey songs that never lack for sass, bite, or beauty. [Apr 2020, p.87]
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User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. Lajaleaa
    Oct 4, 2020
    8
    ( 83/100 )

    Escuché a estas chicas por primera vez en el 2018 con su álbum "I Don't Run" y lo aprobé con cierto interés. Carlotta Cosials,    ( 83/100 )

    Escuché a estas chicas por primera vez en el 2018 con su álbum "I Don't Run" y lo aprobé con cierto interés. Carlotta Cosials, Ana Perrote, Ade Martin y Amber Grimbergen son de Madrid, España y cantan su Garage Pop a su estilo intercalando el inglés y el español. Con una solida continuación de sus proyectos previos, es ameno y entretenido escuchar a estar chicas cantar y tocar otra vez. Su energía se transmite en sus guitarras y arreglos musicales, desordenados, coquetos, entre sensibles y llenos de volumen. En la producción está Jennifer Decilveo, quien ayuda a la banda a solidificar el sonido y estilo que llevan explorando en "I Don't Run". "The Prettiest Curse" no es nada nuevo de ellas, pero ellas, repito, son algo interesante y entretenido que, afortunadamente, su música todavía no cansa. Con letras que transitan entre el capricho y la madurez romántica, la personalidad de la banda está muy bien aclarada. Ahora me da curiosidad ver como innovan dentro de su mismo concepto.
    -
    I listened to these girls for the first time in 2018 with their album "I Don't Run", and I approved it with some interest. Carlotta Cosials, Ana Perrote, Ade Martin, and Amber Grimberg are form Madrid, Spain, and sing their Garage-Pop in their style merging English and Spanish. With a solid continuation of their previous projects, it's nice and entertaining to hear these girls sing and play again. Their energy is transmitted in their guittars and musical arrangements. It's messy, flirty, and in between sensible and full of volume. In the production is Jennifer Decilveo, who helps the band to solidify the sound and style that they've been exploring in "I Don't Run". "The Prettiest Curse" is nothing new from them, but they are, repeat, something interesting and entertaining whose music, fortunately, is not tiring yet. With lyrics that go between romantic whims and maturity, the personality of the band is very well clarified. Now, I'm curious to see how they innovate inside their own concept.    … Full Review »
  2. RageNate
    Jun 22, 2020
    2
    Worthies of staying in my library (2/10):
    - Good Bad Times
    - Take Me Back
  3. soundmate
    Jun 13, 2020
    7
    Spain is a magnificent country filled with joy, party, flavour, culture and, for now, coronavirus. Three years ago, however, this was aSpain is a magnificent country filled with joy, party, flavour, culture and, for now, coronavirus. Three years ago, however, this was a third-world country musically talking. The rise and internationalization of artists like C. Tangana, Bad Gyal, Pablo Alborán and Rosalía among others have helped this country evolve musically and leave the old acts behind, which they were the only thing we could lean on since there wasn't anything fresh in the scene. I hope Hinds are the next big thing that will make us, the Spanish, proud of our culture and traditions again.
    Madrid-based garage rock band Hinds have finally released their highly anticipated third studio album, acclaimed by Pitchfork and The Guardian but still not by the general public. The album is mostly a great record that brings us back to the past, where real instruments were recorded to complete an album and where sound synthesizers were something unimaginable. I can not remember a great pop record of this type since Katy Perry's "One Of the Boys" back in 2008. The album is catchy and very playful thanks to the use of the most spontaneous, funny and innocent Spanglish accent that caracterizes this country so damn much. It feels very near and connected to the person and cute.
    In conclusion, "The Prettiest Curse" is a correct, lineal album that doesn't necessary need to follow a concept because it just isn't necessary. The lyrics and the voices that sing them along the melody are smooth, nice and pleasant. Great record ladies!    … Full Review »
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