HTRK's String of Hearts: A Genre-Agnostic Masterpiece that Reinvents the Band's Noisy Gems
For 22 years, Melbourne-based HTRK has been perfecting their unique brand of gloomy, sensual electronic pop infused with noise rock. To commemorate this milestone, the band has released a collection of covers and remixes featuring an all-star cast of collaborators from both underground and mainstream music scenes.
String of Hearts is an exercise in sonic experimentation, tracing the breadth of HTRK's sound over their extensive discography. The record spans their early hits to their latest album Rhinestones, showcasing a period of transformation from industrial to warmer territories. However, Loraine James' IDM-style glitches and Zebrablood's atmospheric breaks imbue instrumentals with an edgy quality, while Jonnine Standish's vocals are transformed into otherworldly wails by Liars.
Some tracks are warped beyond recognition, using just a synth or lyric as a starting point. Perila's ambient composition of Ha veers towards the sublime, while Kali Malone and Sunn O)))'s Stephen O'Malley stretch out Siren Song into a six-minute soundscape, creating an immersive experience from its simple, muttered lyrics.
Standout moments include Sharon Van Etten's cover of Poison, which gains momentum and vibrancy, and Double Virgo's take on Rentboy, which adds percussion, strings, and peppy discordance. While all tracks feel imaginative and faithful to HTRK's magic, the record's greatest strength lies in its versatility.
String of Hearts is a testament to HTRK's creative adaptability, bridging the gap between their past and present work. With an all-star cast of collaborators and genre-agnostic approach, this record solidifies HTRK's status as one of the most innovative bands in the underground music scene.
For 22 years, Melbourne-based HTRK has been perfecting their unique brand of gloomy, sensual electronic pop infused with noise rock. To commemorate this milestone, the band has released a collection of covers and remixes featuring an all-star cast of collaborators from both underground and mainstream music scenes.
String of Hearts is an exercise in sonic experimentation, tracing the breadth of HTRK's sound over their extensive discography. The record spans their early hits to their latest album Rhinestones, showcasing a period of transformation from industrial to warmer territories. However, Loraine James' IDM-style glitches and Zebrablood's atmospheric breaks imbue instrumentals with an edgy quality, while Jonnine Standish's vocals are transformed into otherworldly wails by Liars.
Some tracks are warped beyond recognition, using just a synth or lyric as a starting point. Perila's ambient composition of Ha veers towards the sublime, while Kali Malone and Sunn O)))'s Stephen O'Malley stretch out Siren Song into a six-minute soundscape, creating an immersive experience from its simple, muttered lyrics.
Standout moments include Sharon Van Etten's cover of Poison, which gains momentum and vibrancy, and Double Virgo's take on Rentboy, which adds percussion, strings, and peppy discordance. While all tracks feel imaginative and faithful to HTRK's magic, the record's greatest strength lies in its versatility.
String of Hearts is a testament to HTRK's creative adaptability, bridging the gap between their past and present work. With an all-star cast of collaborators and genre-agnostic approach, this record solidifies HTRK's status as one of the most innovative bands in the underground music scene.
! They took all their old songs & turned them into something new n amazing!!! Loraine James' glitchy tracks r insane 
& Jonnine Standish's vocals on Liars' track r soooo ethereal 
. I love how they did these crazy covers w/ ppl from diff genres like Sharon Van Etten & Double Virgo - its like a party 
! But whats amazing is how they took their old songs & made them new again, it shows u they r not just stuck in 1 sound. Its like they say... u can take the noise out of HTRK but u cant take the HTRK outta the noise lol 
it's so cool how they've taken their classic songs and turned them into something entirely new with these awesome collabs! Sharon Van Etten's cover of Poison is, like, TOTALLY ON POINT!!! 
and the way Perila's ambient piece Ha veers towards the sublime is just... WOW 
. Can't wait to dive into this record and see where it takes me!!! 
. It's like they're taking all these different paths and weaving them into this gorgeous, genre-bending masterpiece 
.
. I mean, come on, 22 years of making unique electronic pop and now we get a collection of covers and remixes? It feels like they're trying to milk their discography for all it's worth. And don't even get me started on the "genre-agnostic" label - what does that even mean? Are they trying to sound cool or something? 
, but I'm still mad about how they're releasing it in this format. And what's with all these collaborations? It feels like they're just phoning it in at this point.
. It's clear they've got a deep respect for their own discography, but also aren't afraid to experiment and take risks.
. And the guest appearances? Whoa! Double Virgo's take on Rentboy is a highlight - that peppy discordance is infectious 
. What's also impressive is how they're not just covering their own songs, but taking them in new and unexpected directions.
. But overall, String of Hearts is an incredible achievement - HTRK's commitment to their creative vision is inspiring