Joana’s last album 'Dripping Springs' saw the Catalan singer travel to Israel Nash’s studio in Texas. That collection saw a distinct shift in her musical soundscape with a much more layered texture as a background for her beautiful poetic lyrics. That shift continues on 'Hardcore From The Heart'.
At times reminiscent of The War on Drugs or Mazzy Star, at times like Emmylou Harris’ ground-breaking work with Daniel Lanois on ‘Wrecking Ball’, Serrat’s new album is an even headier mix of glorious sounds laying a canvas for her poetic lyrics.
Why didn’t you take me? Why did you need me to prove? I always believed in you and I believed our love was pure. Both naïve and foolishly in love, gazing the sunset before you part. We were blooming, then fading out with the light. That’s when the fall out starts.
The message is simple. Live for the moment. Don’t let silly things get in the way. Perfection may be unattainable, so take the hand you’re given and live it. Carpe diem!
The background is full-on and matches Serrat’s strong yet fragile voice well on ‘You’re With Me Everywhere I Go’ a soft dreamy lament. ‘How To Make You Love Me’ is impossible not to fall in love with, containing such a beautiful build-up and exit, and deceptively easy, yet challenging lyrics.
How to hear back all the colours and see the sounds of our wraith?
Having backed the likes of Courtney Marie Andrews, The Jayhawks, and The Handsome Family on tour, Joana’s star continues on the rise.
‘Hardcore From The Heart’ is an album is full of such contrasts, elegiac music that soothes the soul, yet lyrics that give the head and heart lasting questions.
These are musical musings emanating from a vast cacophonous canyon of sound, intent on being heard. Country rock, folk gaze, new age? It’s silly to try and categorise such a terrifically fluid and immersive record. Simply file under great.
It’s an album that is easy to love on first listen, and adore on repeat!