Spanish rock group Hinds has marked a year since the release of their fourth album Viva Hinds with a studio recording of their cover of ‘girl, so confusing’ by Charli XCX. The original song, and its even more popular remix featuring Lorde, was a staple of ‘brat Summer’. Quickly becoming a pop anthem for girls everywhere, the remix peaked at 63 on the Billboard US Hot 100. Hinds, finding resonance in the lyrics of the club hit, began performing their version of ‘girl, so confusing’ on tour. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the Spanish indie rock duo wanted to further share the song with fans who couldn’t hear them touring it over the last year.
Vocalists Carlotta Cosials and Ana García Perrote have managed to completely change the tone of this synth-heavy pop song into a dreamy, thought-provoking rock anthem. The vocal style allows for a more sentimental aura, which lets the lyrics become prose rather than a retelling. Their raspy, almost whispering voices, emphasise the core ideal of girlhood in a completely different, yet just as poignant, way than Charli’s original. They deftly portray the duality of being a young girl, joyful yet constantly burdened by societal norms.
What makes this cover exceptional, though, is the drums and electric guitar. Adding a grungy backing track instead of the synth and bass from the original transformed the song into an emotional rock anthem. It accentuates the lyrics and feelings of angst while still giving pause when needed to let them speak for themselves. The guitar adds a particularly nice solo at the end of the track, giving listeners room to reflect.
It’s safe to say that a year after ‘brat Summer’, Hinds has refreshed this club hit and recentered its narrative with a unique tone. In addition, the music video captures the essence of their cover and girlhood perfectly with its home-video-esque visuals and a contagious joy emanating from the girls.
Words by Ava Hicks
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