Hailing from the deepest undergrounds of the New York train line, self-proclaimed imaginary band Pinc Louds‘ single “This Hate Hurts” is a visceral cacophany of sounds tearing stretching and pulling your metaphorical consciousness. Puerto Rican-born lead vocalist Claudi moved to New York in 2015 to fulfil a dream of playing in the subway, this impromptu method of performance art ultimately formed the band’s current sound.

Standing at the helm of this project is legendary Strokes producer Gordon Raphael, bringing a tangibility that feels like the music has grabbed onto you and won’t let go. As I listened to this track and felt its thumping drums reverberate throughout my tinny Corsair HS35s. I felt Claudi’s voice begin, immediately giving way to unimaginable movement, their vocals chaotic, like scraping a knife against the strings of a guitar and then running those strings through a golden harp. 

The xylophone works so well on this track, like a white thick wood glue holding it together and further adding to the track’s progressing rhythm. I found it difficult not to pace around my room as I listened. A true display of frenetic energy was brought before my very ears. Accompanied by crashing orchestral cymbals and distorted synths, we as the listener are brought seamlessly into the crescendo of the track, an explosion of sounds all brought together by the expert instrumentation. Pinc Louds’ “This Hate Hurts” is leg of lamb doused in glitter with string tightly wrapped around it and topped with a pretty red bow.

With an ever-morphing sound, Pinc Louds is shaping themselves up to be part of the all timers, their punk ethos propelling them with each new project that they drop.“It is music you can dance and crumble to at the same time. A party in the ward. A shout to the heavens… A kiss to the hells.”