Naarm/Melbourne band Belle Haven really impressed me with their most recent single “fauxlove.” It opens their recently released EP something new with a bang, but there’s a lot more to love on this four-track collection.
“fauxlove” hits hard, but the band aren’t all edges. The next track “lose, regret, repeat…” has more of a pop sensibility and even more vulnerable lyrics. The bittersweet contrast of the happy sound and heartbreakingly sad lyrics is so compelling. “thx” is a high-energy, angsty rock number that puts the pedal to the floor from the first note. “a hypothetical exit” rounds out this stellar collection of song. It’s Belle Haven at their most melodic and anthemic. It sounds fantastic, with massive drums, guitars, and vocals. If you love your emo music, you’re going to love this.
“‘something new’ isn’t about one specific theme or story—it’s a mix of the emotions we’ve been going through as a band,” Belle Haven’s frontman David De La Hoz explained. “We explore love, sex, heartbreak, bad habits (and breaking them), choosing yourself, and even death. It covers a lot because that’s just how life happens sometimes. Each track brings its own feeling. ‘fauxlove’ taps into something raw and intimate, ‘lose, regret, repeat…’ feels deeply sad, ‘thx’ has this angry energy, and ‘a hypothetical exit’ comes off a bit tongue-in-cheek. We didn’t plan to cover all these themes—it just naturally unfolded that way. In a way, we’re still figuring out what Belle Haven is, learning by doing. This EP is part of that journey.”
With the release of something new, Belle Haven continues to show us the depth of their artistry. Don’t you dare put this band in a box, because they’re masters at pushing the envelope and developing their sound. If you love what they do, make sure you check them out at am//pm emo night at Burdenkin Hotel in Eora/Sydney on November 30.
Images used with permission from Good Intent
